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Gleanings From The Word

Category: creation

  • Otters

    and the Eden we long for

    Yesterday, Kathy and I made a day trip out to Steveson. We walked at Garry Point, enjoying the coastal views (Salish Sea, Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and part of the Fraser River). It was fascinating watching the various marine craft come and go. The highlight, though, was the otters.

    We enjoyed a meal of fish and chips at #pajo’s on the boardwalk. Afterward, as we strolled near Fisherman’s Wharf, we spotted three otters. At first, they were simply swimming and playing, but they proceeded to climb up onto a far end of the dock within sight of us. They were hilarious to watch as they played and explored some of the watercraft. They kept us amused for 5-10 minutes before they disappeared from our sight. They were close enough to see well, but not close enough to photograph, clearly on my phone, so today’s image is courtesy of Kendra Young on Unsplash.

    I always enjoy watching animals at play, and when I do, I often think of the Garden of Eden. The Garden was deemed “very good” by God, and no sin had entered. I know many species of animals and birds can differentiate 

    between humans, becoming trusting and often very friendly with them. I’m certain the animals played freely, and that Adam and Eve were free to join in. 

    While Eden is, alas, no more. A heavenly paradise awaits those who belong to Christ. It’s a place that defies description, but I am certain it will be everything Eden was and more.

    John the Revelator attempted to describe what he saw in the Revelation; the Holy Spirit inspired him to write. Here’s a taste of what He said.

    Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”  Revelation 21:1-5 ESV

    Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever. Revelation 22:1-4 ESV

    I can’t begin to imagine it. To be honest, I can’t even really picture the fullness of what the Garden of Eden was like, and it foreshadowed what will come. Still, I can hardly wait to see it.

    I have my Holy Spirit-sealed ticket to Paradise. Do you have yours?

    If you haven’t trusted Jesus by faith yet, do it today.

    Kevin

    SUMMARY

    Watching three playful otters explore the docks in Steveston reminded me of Eden’s innocence, when animals and humans lived in unbroken harmony. The Garden of Eden is gone now, but through Christ, an even greater paradise awaits those who trust Him

    TAKEAWAY

    I watched three otters play and explore the docks at Steveston, and it reminded me of the untouched harmony of Eden

    I believe the animals in Eden trusted humans completely, free enough that Adam and Eve could have joined right in their play

    Revelation 21–22 shows me the paradise to come, greater than Eden ever was, where God dwells with His people forever and wipes away every tear

    YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE THESE POSTS

    The reason no one has an excuse – you know even if you deny it

    The great news of the gospel

    A Walk in the Woods – thoughts on the Psalms

    Better than Eden

    Harbor Mouse – misunderstanding the Word

  • Time is slipping by

    Make the most of it

    Time seems to be flying. It’s already nearing the end of August, and the schools will be starting up in a few weeks. The robins and other birds are beginning to flock up in preparation for their migration south. 

    The fruit trees are heavily laden, and you can see windfall apples wherever there are apple trees. The yellow jackets are getting more aggressive and swarm around anything resembling food, making barbeques and picnics a bit more challenging. We are starting to see the early turning leaves on some trees.

    School supplies are back in stores now. The giant Halloween store that pops up yearly in a vacant spot has already opened. Good luck if you need to replace a piece of summer clothing. Heavy jackets, anyone?

    Time passes. It is a simple fact of this life. Sometimes, it seems to race by, and other times, it creeps ever so slowly, but the clock just keeps ticking. I saw a photo of a child I saw recently as a newborn; she’s a teenager! How is that even possible?

    Time is a priceless commodity, which means that over the years, I have squandered great wealth by unwise use of it.

    We are given very few days to live this life, and none know how many except the Lord (and He isn’t telling).

    Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. James 4:13-14 ESV

    Remember how short my time is! For what vanity you have created all the children of man! What man can live and never see death? Who can deliver his soul from the power of Sheol? Psalm 89:47-48 ESV

    All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever. And this word is the good news that was preached to you. 1 Peter 1:24-25 ESV

    God has given us days to work and days to rest. He gives us seasons of great energy in our youth and seasons of less ability in our more senior years.

    The Lord has given us two incredible gifts. He has given us life itself and the opportunity to glorify God in that life.

    Make the most of it.

    Kevin

    Right belief or right living?

    You matter at your local church

    The Standoff – who wins?

    Jesus tells us to count the cost

    Times change but God doesn’t

    SUMMARY

    Watching the seasons turn reminded me how fast our days actually go, and how easy it is to waste time we can’t get back. Life is short and none of us know how many days we have — so let’s not waste the ones we’ve been given.

    TAKEAWAY

    The turning season — birds flocking, fading summer clothes, early leaves — is a vivid picture of how fast time moves

    Scripture (James 4:13-14, Psalm 89:47-48, 1 Peter 1:24-25) describes our life as a mist and grass that withers, while God’s word alone endures forever

    God has given us two gifts — life itself and the opportunity to glorify Him in it — so the call is to steward the days we’re given