When You Need to Physically See God's Glory

The lessons half-done, the dishes piled high, the laudry strewn, and the children fall into their resting places for a time of much needed quiet.

Even this good-busy leads to hunger, the rush that squeezes out time for what is needed for strength, renewal, replenishment.

I eat and chew on the Word, but I am restless. The hands are steadied but the shake of weakness in my soul remains. I'm only halfway through the day.

Half a day can be so long.

And I am worn from looking at human made things. Tired to the bone of good books and lessons, pencils and paper, prepared meals and dishes, and this comfortable, messy home.

I want out. These walls that provide so much protection and comfort can also become a prison for soul-starving.

So I do what I know, straightforward girl that I am, and go outside to look into the sky. For didn't He say that the heavens declare His glory? This physical glory, the good work of His very hands this day, this is what I need to see.

I think of how He says that the eye is the lamp of the body, and if my eyes are good, my whole body will be full of light. What do my eyes see all day long, day after day, shielded by my wealth? I am not exposed, as so many are all around the world, to the overwhelming wonder of His daily glories that beam, and breeze and pour down.

Under His domed sanctuary, billowing art of blues and grays, I stretch my hands and soul in praise. "It is beautiful, Lord, beautiful."

And I remember this day, when He layered thick these wonders, making me remember Him, All Consuming Fire, often for our sake hidden in cloud and smoke, some day to be seen face to face.

I commit to practicing the simple, daily faith practice of looking up.

Seeing His glory brings torrents of praise and life without worship emaciates the soul.

And the sun from His tent keeps running his course, rejoicing, a bridegroom coming from his chamber.

And I smile into the warmth and breath deep of this glory, this physical wonder of oxygen in, CO2 out.

"You are beautiful, Lord, You are beautiful."

You, God, are my God,
earnestly I seek you;
I thirst for you,
my whole being longs for you,
in a dry and parched land
where there is no water.

I have seen you in the sanctuary
and beheld your power and your glory.
Because your love is better than life,
my lips will glorify you.
I will praise you as long as I live,
and in your name I will lift up my hands.
I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods;
with singing lips my mouth will praise you.

~Psalm 63:1-5