Twenty-four hours of Sky Gazing
Once the invigorating sun
ascends over the horizon
subdued colors of pink and yellow
suddenly brighten before
dispersing in the sky.
After thunderheads arise high in
the sky we know a smidgeon of
how vulnerable all of humanity is
as nature shows her power.
Whilst walking in winds so fierce you
must brace yourself and hold on to
small kids and pets, the scalp is massaged
as hair is blown this way and that.
The dome of welcoming azure skies
low winds and bright sun, warms our skin
infusing us with the calming, vast,
love of our incredible God.
Focusing on fluffy clouds we see
creatures floating in new formations
and toss troubles aside until the sun
sets and then see that the Sky does not lie.
God’s amazing grace is the reality!
The moon floats from one horizon to the
other, pulling the tides high and low,
while constellations guide the wanderers
and bring us all back into alignment.
Psalm 30
I exalt you, Lord, because you pulled me up;
you didn’t let my enemies celebrate over me.
2 Lord, my God, I cried out to you for help,
and you healed me.
3 Lord, you brought me[a] up from the grave,[b]
brought me back to life from among those going down to the pit.
4 You who are faithful to the Lord,
sing praises and give thanks to God’s holy name!
5 God’s anger lasts for only a second,
but favor lasts a lifetime.
Weeping may stay all night,
but by morning, joy!
6 When I was comfortable, I said,
“I will never stumble.”
7 Because it pleased you, Lord,
you made me a strong mountain.
But then you hid your presence.
I was terrified.
8 I cried out to you, Lord.
I begged my Lord for mercy:
9 “What is to be gained by my spilled blood,
by my going down into the pit?
Does dust thank you?
Does it proclaim your faithfulness?
10 Lord, listen and have mercy on me!
Lord, be my helper!”
11 You changed my mourning into dancing.
You took off my funeral clothes
and dressed me up in joy
12 so that my whole being
might sing praises to you and never stop.
Lord, my God, I will give thanks to you forever.
God’s Grace Transforms
The kind of grace that the Psalmist wrote about may manifest in different ways. The Message paraphrase translation of the Bible reads as follows:
You did it: you changed wild lament
into whirling dance;
You ripped off my black mourning band
and decked me with wildflowers.
I’m about to burst with song;
I can’t keep quiet about you.
God, my God,
I can’t thank you enough.
When hiking a dirt path in the forest and being immersed in the mystery of creation and Creator, I feel like dancing. Shrubs are beginning to blossom and there are small wildflowers. I felt it today when walking around a lake in a public park not far from my home and the poem came forth.
There have been times in my life that I’ve felt the immensity of God’s grace. It has happened when someone has cared enough to listen to my grief and pain. Relieved of the emotional weight, I twirled and danced!
However it is that you feel today, God wants to hear from you. When we take our fears, pain, discomfort, and joys to God in prayer, our relationship is strengthened.
We sing and dance in gratefulness for our faith and knowledge of God’s presence with us.
Prayers of thanksgiving for you and your life.
Marta
Rev. Marta Wheeler
To view or download a PDF version of this devotional, click here: Devotional MW 2022-04-27