Ps 19: 1-6

How clearly the sky reveals God’s glory!
    How plainly it shows what he has done!

Each day announces it to the following day;
    each night repeats it to the next.
No speech or words are used,
    no sound is heard;
yet their message goes out to all the world
    and is heard to the ends of the earth.
God made a home in the sky for the sun;
 it comes out in the morning like a happy bridegroom,
    like an athlete eager to run a race.
It starts at one end of the sky
    and goes across to the other.
    Nothing can hide from its heat.

Reflection

It was probably a combination that prompted my thinking – the car breaking down, hence, a late start for the 7-8 hours drive, so arriving in the dark, and attempting to find a ‘drier’, flat camp site without tree roots, while the pouring rain formed mini creeks around us. In addition to discovering the tent (borrowed) was missing a pole, the gas cooker jet popped its final farewell, so eating cold baked beans straight from the tin, without even having a warming cup of tea. On lying in the damp sleeping bag, with drips rolling down the tent seams, aided by the buffeting strong winds outside, it reinforced that I was not that partial to camping.

 On clambering out of the dull light and dampness of the tent the next morning, I was awestruck by the glory of God’s creation – the sun warming the red earth and drawing out the scent of blue-green gum leaves; its light shining bright against the shadows of strong trunks, a spider’s web glistening with water drops, the silence jostled by the gentle busyness of creation. Psalm 19 reflected life in a whole new way.

When in the deeper valleys of life’s journeys, God’s light shining in that darkness seems even brighter. God’s message of hope goes out before us, around every corner we travel. We cannot hide from its warming grace, nor stop its love… but sometimes, we need to listen and look more carefully, to hear the new song and be open to seeing the panoramic view before us.

A Prayer of Adoration and Thanksgiving.

Shining One,
Who glows warmly in our midst,
Open our inner eyes to see your love.
Let the creation reveal to us again and again,
your continuous movement in the evolution of life,
revolving around us, blossoming in us, and growing before us.

Spirit of Life,
whose breathing through life gently buffets around us,
and whose sighing is heard in the moaning winds.
Bring freshness to the inhalation of our shallow, anxious lungs.
In you, our tense and fatigued bodies
are restored for our journey and revitalised again
for the new things that flow with us as we journey on.

 Life-give and creator,
Who draws out of the elements creative and vibrant energy,
Inspire us to know and understand your universe.
All that we can receive from past learning,
all that is being revealed in this present time,
and take part in all that is yet to be revealed.

 Awe and wonder, imminent and now,
Your presence is felt in the creation in which we find ourselves.
May we honour it, as you honour us.

Amen