20 Oct, 2010
Unmistakable Glory
What an incredible picture this is! The photographer, Jay Fine, spent two hours at Battery Park City, Manhatten, NY, snapping picture after picture, in anticipation of the "perfect" shot. After shooting nearly 80 pictures, he finally captured this awe-inspiring shot of a lightening bolt hitting the Stature of Liberty, on September 22, 2010. According to the BBC News, "[Fine] had been waiting 40 years to get the picture."
(www.bbc.co.uk)
Romans 1:20
For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.
Psalm 66:1-4
Shout with joy to God, all the earth!
Sing the glory of his name;
make his praise glorious!
Say to God, "How awesome are your deeds!
So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you.
All the earth bows down to you;
they sing praise to you,
they sing praise to your name.
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about taking notice of and praising God?
Over and over again, throughout scripture, we see God use His creation to show His Power and Glory. It's difficult for me to look at the picture above and not be filled with awe and wonder of God - the One who, among so many other things, spoke the heavens in to place, put every star in the sky, and commanded the trees to grow (Genesis 1). While the photographer had to wait 40 years for this incredible portrait to present itself so he could capture it on film, God has been revealing Himself through His creation since the beginning of time - He wants us to see Him, to experience Him through it, and to praise Him!
Ever heard the phrase, "Take time to stop and smell the roses?" Today, more than ever, our lives are filled with distractions and noise. Between cell phones, iPods, radios, TVs, DVRs, video games, and the internet, most of us never have our eyes up and off a screen long enough to even notice the changing of seasons, let alone the incomparable beauty that surrounds us. If you're anything like me, you probably take for granted, not just Creation but, all that God wants to show us about Himself throughout the day - people, situations, struggles, things that point us to Him - and, if you're missing that, you're also missing an opportunity to praise Him and bring Him glory.
How can we connect God's Story scripture to our lives?
- Take time throughout your day to intentionally notice God in your surroundings and praise Him for all the places you see Him at work.
- Use your prayer time today to praise God for who He is - it may be a challenge for you to do, but resist asking Him for anything during this time. Simply praise Him and glorify His name. Tell Him of all the places you saw reflections of God today, thank Him, and give Him the glory.
- Ask God to make you more aware and sensetive to the things that reflect the image of God, so that you can continue to be in awe of Him, who He is, and what He does.
How can we connect today's picture, God's Story scripture, and our story to others?
- Talk to your friends about all the ways you see God working in your life and the incredible things you see around you that you know reflect the image of God. Ask them what they think and talk to them about what those things teach you about the nature and character of God.
- Always let God get the glory! When you see a rainbow, a bolt of lightening, stars in the sky, a gorgeous sunsetetc., point them out to others and use it as an opportunity to help them see how glorious He truly is! Chances are, if you've been taking it for granted, your friends who don't know God have as well!
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