Markley's Blog

Where should I start? Let’s see, no world peace, crime on the rise, and global warming. Not to mention the war in Iraq and Afghanistan. The fact of a President halfway through his term and still wondering what he’ll do to better the economy Then there’s inflation that sometimes makes stretching the pay check from week to week a challenge. There are many things that make us worry.

Do you ever worry? My wife worries all the time. She wonders and asks me, “don’t you ever worry?” “I try not to,” is my usual response. This really doesn’t bring much comfort. And that sometimes makes her worry for the both of us. At least that’s what she tells me. I completely understand that in today’s world there is much to be uncertain about; but in scripture we are told to “be still and know that I am God” Psalm 46:10. That is my solace. Those words never rang clearer as they did one morning on my way to work. Ever seen a moon set? It’s an awesome sight.

That morning I got another reminder of how certain and great our God is. How He is in control of everything. Even when we may think the world is out of control, He gave me a beautiful sight for my eyes to look at for the ten-minute drive to work. What a treat. I’m talking about the fact it only takes me ten minutes to get to work. Actually though with the picture I was given on this morning, the ride could have lasted an hour and I would not have cared!

I get up very early. My wife thinks I’m crazy but wishes she were a morning person like I am. There are some very gratifying joys I receive from being up so early. A moon set is one of them. When the moon is in its fullest stage when it comes up it is enormous. Its glow illuminates the clouds as it travels upward and seems to light up the entire night sky. This particular morning as it was setting in the western horizon, it was also huge in size and a beautiful reminder that God is the creator of the universe.

I wanted to go home and shake my wife out of her dreams and share the moment with her. I would have pointed to the picture I feel God personally painted for me that morning and tell her, “This is why I don’t worry.” It was one of those Kodak moments. With God there are always Kodak moments. Whether it’s watching a humming bird pollinate or a blue sky filled with white clouds that look so soft you would love to jump and play in them all day. You see God in it all. Whenever we look at a photographer’s work or a painter’s canvass and we see the vibrant colors we look past the picture and try to look inside to see the soul of the artist through their work
God gives us snapshots of Himself everyday so that we can see who He is.

This particular morning my breath was taken away when I saw the moon just sitting there. I said to myself, “Thank you for the reminder of what a great God you are”. It was like He was putting His thumbprint on either the end of another night, or, to mark the start of yet another day that He would open his world and show Himself to His creation. As I traveled west it was hanging right in the middle of the road and it was as if God was holding it in His hands just for me to see. Every once in awhile God gives us something to knock the cobwebs out of our daily lives and show us who He is. We should be grateful.

You can look at the stars at night and think of the fact that God placed each one exactly where He wanted. It is reassuring that they are there the next night also still in the same place. Not swirling around and out of control. Or the fact that the sun comes up in the same skies every morning and sets in the same place every evening.
The vast expanse of the Grand Canyon or the height of a giant Redwood, are just two more signatures of God. How about enjoying a gentle rain as the land is being refreshed, hearing the bird’s make their music during the day and crickets and locust at night; both given to us to see Him in it all.

The Bible tells us in Exodus that God told Moses to tell the people “I am sent me” The great “I am” has control of everything. We need not worry. Therefore I tell you do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body what you will wear. Is life not more important than food, and the body more important than cloths? Mt. 6:25 tells us. That is to say animals do not worry, so why should we? We are much more valuable than they, according to verse 26. It’s very easy to worry when we see the sinful side of creation. We think that when bad things happen, it slipped past Gods watchful eye.

Not so!

Remember He holds every star in place. He knows each hair of our head. He tells every lightning bolt where it should go. He is in total control.

When there is a fresh blanket of pure white snow, be assured He placed each snowflake specifically where it landed. Walking along the beach with each footprint pressed into the sand He knows each grain. He cares for His creation. He gives us snapshots of Himself just so we can see Him through it. Look for the little things that make us see and let us know the big God we’ve got. The other morning on my way to work, “I saw my snapshot.”