As far as vacations go, the beach is not my fave. I hate the sunscreen, wearing a bathing suit, getting sunburn, having sand everywhere and the sea life. *shudder* However, the ocean is one of those places that makes me see God better. I really cannot even comprehend how big the ocean is–even when I’m staring at it. And if you go to the beach at night and see the expanse of the sky, why, it’s more than I can fathom!
Once the rain cleared up on our rainy day, we went to the beach before dinner and watched the sunset. As I was standing in the waves and watching the sun slowly move and the waves lap back and forth, I was just hit with the majesty of God. I remembered that song, “When I look into Your holiness, when I gaze into Your loveliness, when all the things that surround become shadows in the light of You.” That’s how I felt. Everything was a shadow in comparison to God’s greatness. If God could create something as vast and awe inspiring as the ocean and then show off by giving us a sunset EVERY NIGHT, how can we not worship Him?
The song ends with, “I worship You, I worship You.The reason I live Is to worship You.” I think living inside my four walls and only venturing into creation to get to my car or run to the mailbox blocks off a portion of worship. I don’t see His creation enough. And when I do I am reminded why I live. It’s to worship Him.
Praise the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty. He wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters. He makes the clouds his chariot and rides on the wings of the wind. He makes winds his messengers, flames of fire his servants. He set the earth on its foundations; it can never be moved. You covered it with the deep as with a garment; the waters stood above the mountains. But at your rebuke the waters fled, at the sound of your thunder they took to flight; they flowed over the mountains, they went down into the valleys, to the place you assigned for them. You set a boundary they cannot cross; never again will they cover the earth. (Psalm 104:1-10 NIV)
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
That’s very interesting….”I think living inside my four walls and only venturing into creation to get to my car or run to the mailbox blocks off a portion of worship. I don’t see His creation enough. And when I do I am reminded why I live. It’s to worship Him.”. What a good way to look at our everyday life. It makes me even more thankful for vacations or time away that gets me out of my ‘everyday’ and into more of His creation.
So good, and so true. I feel this way every time I visit my parents in Colorado. When we see those Rocky Mountains it brings me to my knees. It also makes me wonder how anyone can question the existence of a Creator.
What a beautiful picture! I love the ocean for that very reason that it is so big and so mighty, it really makes me stand in awe of God. God is indescribable.
Amen! That’s all I can say – Amen!
I felt the same way about the ocean, very powerful.
That’s a beautiful photo! If that’s a sunset, then does that mean you were on the Gulf?
That is truly beautiful!
The beach is my absolute favorite.
This is so true. I know that these days, I barely even stop to stand in awe of the breath-taking creations God has put on this Earth. Magnifying the Creator through his creations is definitely sweet, sweet worship.
I have had that same overwhelming feeling with I am at the beach. God is so huge!
Amanda- that was beautiful- not just the pic but your words and thoughts. I feel exactly the same..the beach experience…kinda yuck…but the God experience is so vast and rich. We need to be out in his “workshop” more. As a side note, just this week, I have really been considering our camp theme for ’08. I had been telling myself to sit down and see where the Scripture was about God’s slendor and majesty, wrapping himself in light, etc. Great minds…
Great post. Chill bumps. Really. And I’m with you on the beach. I like the idea of the beach more than actually being there with sand all in my shoes and car (there’s still some in mine from July!). But the beauty is incomparable – just as intended, I’m sure.