We were made for awe and beauty. There is something in us that awakens when we gaze into the dark night sky and see a million brilliant stars. When we stand on the edge of the Grand Canyon or the coast of a vast ocean. What is big and beautiful stirs us. Several years ago, Lucy and I walked through the Redwood Forest. I remember feeling overwhelming amazement as I looked up through gigantic trees, hundreds of feet in the air. I felt small, and at the same time secure, surrounded by towering strength and longevity. Feeling puny next to the grandeur of the creation was comforting; there is something bigger out there.
The wonders of our world – both the enormous and intricate – are meant to lead us to God. They are the windows of discovery for the ultimate glory of God Himself. These elements of His general revelation are designed that all mankind may see His power and supernatural nature, and then respond with worship, honor and thanks to the Creator-God. He made us worshippers, which is why we love awe and beauty. But O how quickly we are drawn to love lesser things. How quickly the curvature of our worship can turn inward!
I know God is of greatest worth so why am I often content to treasure my own autonomy, comfort, pleasure, security, health, wealth, ________, (fill in the blank) more than Him? I don’t mind feeling insignificant around colossal trees, but why am I so wounded if another person’s words make me feel small? Sin distorts our sense of greatness and beauty. We know we’re not the biggest presence in the universe, but sometimes we want the world to revolve around us! News flash: It doesn’t!
The Apostle Paul reminds us it is not about us! “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 11:36) From our study in Daniel 3, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego knew the same truth. In fidelity and devotion to God they stood against immense cultural pressure to say, “We will not serve your gods or worship the golden image you have set up.” Idols still beckon today, but God alone is worthy. Let’s stay small, and worship Him who is great.
Magnify the Lord with me. Let us exalt His name together.
With you on the journey,
Tom
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