Dear Faith Family,
Cohen and I awoke Sunday morning to the gentle sound of the Brazos River flowing a few feet from our tent. Having traversed nearly nine miles via canoe, survived the unrelenting heat, and exasperated our energy swimming, exploring, and playing the previous day, the surprising coolness and quietness of the morning crafted for us a welcoming sanctuary.
Within an hour or so, the sun would dissipate the refreshing reprieve, and the efforts of packing up camp and returning to the canoe for the home stretch of our journey would distract from the tranquility of our organic worship. Nevertheless, for a few moments between the rigors and pleasures of the days business, we found ourselves a part of the world's worship.
The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the expanse proclaims his handiwork.
Day to day pours out speech,
and night to night reveals knowledge.
There is no speech, nor are there words,
whose voice is not heard.
(Psalm 19:1-3)
While we cannot awake every morning on a river's bank, we nevertheless have opportunities each day, between the rigors and pleasures of living, to find ourselves a part of the worshiping world. Whether during a quiet moment over a coffee cup before the house's occupants fill the silence, or amid the motion of a daily commute, or in the unplanned stillness of tasks finished early or a meeting running late, there is an ever-welcoming sanctuary awaiting our attention...if only we look and listen.
We don't wake each day in a different world from the one Cohen and I found ourselves in this weekend. This morning, I did not step out of bed into a world less alive, less full of the wonders of God's creation and grace. And neither did you.
But, what we do is turn on the t.v., turn up the podcast, and turn on to the next task or email rather than looking out the window or at a face of God's wonder and grace, and so miss the call to worship.
I'd certainly encourage you to get out of the city and into the worship of the woods, "the peace of wild things," this summer if you get a chance. The effort is worth the soul's refreshment. But even more so, I'd encourage you to periodically turn off the distractions, look around you, and recognize where you are: in a world of God's wonder and grace calling you into worship.
Love you, faith family! God bless.