| Monday, April 11 |
Psalm 104:30 |
When you send forth your spirit, they are created; and you renew the face of the ground.
HEAVENLY SPRING
Psalm 104 is surrounded by psalms depicting pain, guilt and suffering. This creation psalm can almost be seen as a rose among thorns. In a similar way, this passage helps us celebrate God and his creation, reminding us that his spirit and breath are in all he has created to bring life and renewal with each new season and generation. Furthermore, the removal of God and his presence can mean ruin for all creation. He makes all things new.
"For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, provided it is received with thanksgiving; for it is sanctified by God’s word and by prayer" (1 Timothy 4:4). We are thankful for the splendor of God’s creation. My thankfulness for creation has been greatly shaped by my parents and mentors. I feel it is a little more obvious to be in awe of God’s creation when standing on a mountain or by the ocean but every spring I am reminded that we don’t deserve the taste of strawberries. God has created a home for us that includes all we need. We have food that provides nutrients and energy but he loves us enough that he didn’t stop there. He created variety and substance, aroma and flavor, and texture and feeling all for our enjoyment in this life. While we strive for heaven, let us not forget the abundance of blessings God has given us here on earth. He enriches our lives with joy and fulfillment. He gives us friends and relationships to help us on our journey.
Our human eyes can become fixed on problems and stressors and place our hope only in our future. However, God asks us to view life as he does. He asks us to see beauty, joy and thanksgiving in the midst of everything else. Dietrich Bonhoeffer reflected on this, writing "The one who has set his faith in Christ need not worry about the morrow. In the midst of the coldest winter, we should see God’s earth already full of fruitfulness. Should that be too difficult for us, we who saw in the darkest night an eternal light shining?… By the power and the love of God, the heavenly spring is already breaking" (God’s World is Full of Fruits, "Dietrich Bonhoeffer's Meditations on Psalms," 1937).
I challenge you to see the beauty in the world around you and give thanks to God for his perfect details and plans for his creation.
Father God, we are thankful for the turning of seasons when you breathe the breath of life into your creation. Help us to enjoy all that you have given us and remain focused on you even in times of need. Amen
Martha Easton
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