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Category: devotional

  • Birdsong – Thoughts on the complexity of the created order

    Birdsong – Thoughts on the complexity of the created order

    White crowned Sparrow
    White Crowned Sparrow

    I stumbled out of bed for a few minutes around 4:30 this morning. Although the sun didn’t officially rise until 6:59, it was already getting light out. I opened the door and listened for a while. As expected, I heard the wonderful sound of birds singing. It was an early morning serenade.

    The birds love greeting the day, or so it seems. Yet, there is more happening than the birds visiting. Bird calls travel further early in the morning because of differences in barometric pressure. 

    Some studies have also shown that many plants begin photosynthesis up to 30 minutes earlier if they hear bird calls. I don’t know how plants “hear” such things, but the result benefits both birds and plants. Earlier photosynthesis means earlier flowering, flower opening, and increased production. It is similar to the response to plants growing with classical music playing.

    I am always amazed at how our Creator intricately designed the systems of life. The details are often so much more complex than we see on casual observation. The systems are far too sophisticated to have randomly evolved “by chance.”

    Everyone and everything in creation is linked together in some fashion. Each impacts the other.

    The entirety of the complex systems the Lord designed eagerly awaits God’s restoration of all things. Our very home planet is harmed by the sin of mankind.

    Paul writes,

    For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. Romans 8:18-22

    That knowledge shouldn’t turn us into Earth worshippers, but help us remember to be good stewards. It should also help compel us to work to see God’s kingdom come in full

    Paul goes on to say,

    And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

    When you hear a bird sing or see a flower blooming, may it remind you of the God we serve and help steer us on the path of becoming more like Him.

    Be blessed

    Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

    Kevin

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  • Dust  – chasing the wind

    Dust – chasing the wind

    dust storm

    Time is fascinating, or perhaps it is more correct to say  our perception of time amazes me. It seems to stretch or contract at will.

    I can remember a vehicle accident in the early 90s. A woman pulled out from a stop sign and tried to cross three lanes of traffic in front of me. Perhaps a few seconds elapsed between her stepping on the gas, my braking, and the impact. I remember the event as if it happened yesterday, and the whole thing seemed to stretch for many minutes.

    My high school friends are all nearing 70 now, but I remember them as teenagers. I have ministered to children who have children of their own.

    When I was younger, it felt like I had all the time in the world. In my early career days, it was on the go non-stop, and the world was a blur. Now that I have retired and struggle with health issues, I sometimes wonder how much I have left. Will I see my grandchildren married? Will I ever meet my great-grandchildren? Only the Lord knows, and He isn’t telling.

    Don’t misunderstand; I am not regretting older. I am not planning on shuffling off this mortal coil any time soon. I wouldn’t go back and redo it all even if I could. Certainly, I could correct some mistakes, but I’d just make others.

    I have no desire to be 18, 30, 40, or even 50 again. God has been good to me and always will be. When it comes my time, I know where I will be.

    None of us can recapture yesterday. None of us can capture tomorrow. Yesterday is gone, and tomorrow never comes. A little cliche sounding? Perhaps, but true. We only have today to live.

    The world stretches out a long way behind us, an indeterminate period ahead of us. We have remembrances and hopes, and all can look forward to eternity in some place, either in heaven or hell. 

    Whether the days seem to last forever or blow by too quickly, we get one shot at this life, and this is it.

    It is no wonder that Solomon could say 

    I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind. Ecclesiastes 1:14 ESV

    The days come and go, and we often blow about like dust in the wind.

    Jesus told a parable,

    Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?”  And he said to them, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a rich man produced plentifully,  and he thought to himself, ‘What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?’  And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.”’ But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:13-21 ESV

    His point wasn’t that we aren’t to plan for the future or enjoy the fruits of our labor. We have limited days, which are best spent with our eyes on God. Don’t chase the wind.

    Looking back on our lives from eternity, we will see what we accomplished that blew away like dust and what endured.

    May the King use what you do today for his eternal glory. May it not blow away.

    Be blessed

    Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

    Kevin

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