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Thinking of
Sunrises
by Sylvie Galloway
Every morning I have the opportunity to see
a sunrise during my morning commute. For some reason, I can’t
help but notice them. Probably because at some point, the sun
will pop up over the horizon and shine right into my eyes. I
have begun to notice something special about sunrises recently.
Each and every one of them is different. I have yet to see two
sunrises exactly alike. Sometimes the sky is pink; sometimes it
is blue and gold. Sometimes there are clouds, of every shape and
size, and in various amounts of frequency across the horizon,
sometimes not. Sometimes the moon is even a part of the
picture. Sometimes I never even see the sun, because it is
hidden behind fog, or a cloudbank, or even rain falling on my
car. Sometimes I even see a combination of several possibilities
before I get to my destination. Its amazing that a combination
of light, water vapor and atmosphere can manage to come up with
so many ways to display itself in the early morning.
Nature in its essence is so diverse, that
scientists are still discovering new things about it. It is not
unusual to read in the paper or hear on Discovery Channel, about
new stars, comets or nebulas found by satellites like the Hubble
Telescope. Nor is it unusual for others to report the finding of
a previously unknown of deep-sea creature, or a tiny flower that
only grows in a tiny remote location in a far away jungle.
Researchers are still learning a great deal about how our own
bodies work, and how to treat diseases more effectively. I’m
sure that we aren’t finished in finding more amazing things
about the universe that we live in.
Why did God create with so much diversity?
Well, for one thing, He could. The one who created in us such
imagination and creativity, has mind-boggling imagination,
unbelievable creativity, and the amazing ability to make
everything He has made work together harmoniously. He also does
so effortlessly. Some of us can survive fairly well as long as
we have our day-timers, to do lists, or like me, kids reminding
me, again and again, that tomorrow is the last day to turn in
the money for the field trip.
Why else? We are created in His image, with
an inborn curiosity about things around us. It begins as soon as
we are born, and usually lasts all our lives. I think that God
wanted us to discover things around us, so that we would wonder,
and then look for its source, which of course is Him. No matter
how hard we try, we cannot make things as He has. Man’s
inventions have been wonderful, usually making life for many
easier or more convenient. But we have our limits. Which brings
me to this little story.
A scientist approached God one day, and
said, “God, we have decided that we no longer need you. You see
we have been able to make such great strides in science that we
can now even create a human being by way of cloning.”
God said, “Well, that may be so, but
before we part company, let us have a contest to see who is the
best man builder. We can do it the same way I did it at Eden.”
“Sounds fine with me.” Said the
scientist, as he bent down to pick up a clod of dirt.
“Wait!” Said God, “You must first make
your own dirt.”
You see? Our limits. In our arrogance, we
can forget that although we have made great strides in
technology unheard of by our descendants, we did not make the
building blocks to make those things. They were already
provided for us. Just like sunrises. Although there may be the
vapor trail of a passing jet in the scene, we had nothing to do
with the components that make up the possibility of a sunrise.
Job is asked by God “Have you ever
commanded the morning to appear and caused the dawn to rise in
the east?” (Job 38:12) Of course Job’s answer is no. God in
that and other questions to Job nailed home the fact that He is
supreme, He is the one who holds everything together perfectly
so we can live in this world that He made. He is also the one
who made us to appreciate the wondrous beauty of the nature He
created.
So the next time you see a sunrise, or a
sunset (if you’re not a morning person) pay attention to the
details. You will see the amazing beauty in front of you, and
you can be assured that the next time, it will be different. And
like I often am, you will be awed, and thankful to see once
again, the workings of our Lord, written across the sky.
This
article is copyrighted by the author. All Rights Reserved. No
part of this article may be reprinted without permission of the
author.
©Copyright 2002
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