7/21/11

What do you see?


When you look at clouds, what do you see?  Do they form patterns, represent objects or animals?  Sometimes, do they even look like people?  When I saw this picture, at first I thought of a carnation and then a serpent, then an atomic mushroom and lastly I noticed the small rainbow at the bottom.  I couldn't make up my mind and gave up.  Finally, I did notice that the myriad of contrasts and shapes formed a wonderful sort of painting; one that any painter would be proud to display.  And yet I see things like this every day.  How grand and marvelous is our world, how full of surprises and beauty.  The best part is that I know it didn't just happen; that God created it all for my enjoyment and appreciation.  More than that, HE created all the things around me that I might come to know HIM and praise HIM for all that HE has done.  Obviously, this passage from the Psalms came to mind.

Psalms 8:1-9 (WEB)
1) For the Chief Musician; on an instrument of Gath. A Psalm by David. Yahweh, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth, who has set your glory above the heavens!
2) From the lips of babes and infants you have established strength, because of your adversaries, that you might silence the enemy and the avenger.
3) When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have ordained;
4) what is man, that you think of him? What is the son of man, that you care for him?
5) For you have made him a little lower than God, and crowned him with glory and honor.
6) You make him ruler over the works of your hands. You have put all things under his feet:
7) All sheep and cattle, yes, and the animals of the field,
8) The birds of the sky, the fish of the sea, and whatever passes through the paths of the seas.
9) Yahweh, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

The next time you take pride in doing something and marvel at your own accomplishments, realize that compared to The Creator Of The Universe, we are as nothing.  However, it is HIS will that we rule the Earth wisely and do so with a realization that we are not alone, that God cares for us.  Frankly, I don't know of a better way to remember these things than to simply look at the sky and stand in awe of the one who has created all things.  Begin with clouds and take it from there.