“The heavens are telling the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.” Psalm 19:1
This just might be the best week of the entire year! Every day our church building is bursting with joy and laughter, questions, and God-sightings as children and young people get to know Christ more and learn to TRUST JESUS in deeper and deeper ways! Thank you to all our volunteers and staff members who make this an awe-inspiring experience.
One of the joys that summer often brings is the chance to retreat to nature. Away from the congestion of the city and the light pollution of the suburbs, I find myself absolutely floored by the constellations that appear overhead. Each time I’m surprised and amazed at the brightness and breadth of our galaxy! What is striking to me is that the heavens and their beauty are always present; it’s just that the realities of our lives conceal them from view or greatly diminish their grandeur in our sight.
In much the same way, the Spirit of Christ is always present with us, standing ready to empower and grow and guide. “TRUST JESUS” is the theme of this year’s VBS and VBX. Jesus can be trusted with our questions as well as our anxieties. But sometimes the events of life cause us to forget to TRUST JESUS; like light pollution, they obscure our view or perhaps diminish his glory in our eyes.
Haley, Elijah, and I are planning a trip to the Canadian Rockies later this summer. And I can’t wait for awe and wonder to be stirred again in us. It’s like a reset, a reminder of where we fit in the universe and of the imagination, power, and beauty of our Creator God. It’s easier to TRUST JESUS when I’m surrounded by evidence of his handiwork.
Psalm 19 is a fascinating psalm; it begins with signs of God’s presence in creation but then shifts to signs of God’s guidance in Scripture. Even when clouds obscure our view of the stars, God’s Word serves as a compass to guide our paths day by day. It helps us find our True North. Acquainting ourselves with the stories of Scripture doesn’t answer every question we might have, but it reveals the heart and character of our God. It allows us to hold Christ’s majesty within us. It guides us by the wisdom of the Spirit.
May we be overwhelmed by the scope and magnificence of God’s creation this summer. May we fall in love with a portion of God’s Word, perhaps a book of the Bible or a psalm. And may we know we are never alone and sense the Spirit’s guidance each day.
Grace upon grace,
Pastor Scott
