By: John Eby, Atherton Resident since 2011

Scripture:(Romans 8:18-19)

“I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God.”

Questions for reflection and application:

  • How can I stop today and take in the wonder of God’s handiwork around me?
  • What am I tempted to complain about because I am too focused on the small stuff?

Thought for today:

We lived on the east side of Porterville, the rural side. We could walk a block eastward and the city lights were faded out and we began to see the incredible beauty of the night sky unadulterated by as much man-made light. One night I was out walking and had Nikki, our pit bull, with me. It was a GORGEOUS night. There was no moon yet, so the sky was splashed with stars – like hundreds of diamonds thrown haphazardly on a black velvet cloth. I was awestruck! I said to Nikki, “Nikki, look at this sky! It is BEAUTIFUL! God’s handiwork! God’s art! God’s blessing!” My arm arched above me to draw attention to the glory above us!

I looked down at Nikki, expecting to see her as awestruck as I. Instead she was sniffing from bush to bush and spot to spot. I laughed to myself, “We people are so often just like that – so busy trying to find out who was there, who is there, what were they doing, that we MISS the beauty of the presence of God and what he has done!” I thought of the children of Israel grumbling in the wilderness because they only had manna to eat; the disciples complaining about not having food shortly after Jesus had fed 5,000, teenagers asking “Who is going to be there?”, and me turning down invitations to High School Reunions because I heard my best buddy was not going. How often do WE miss the presence and activity of God because we are so concerned about who is going to be there?