I’ve never considered myself to be "the creative type" and will probably not receive much in the way of argument.
Yet, one of the things I’ve learned since I started writing devotionals is that God provides not only inspiration but also reminders of His Word and actual glimpses into His divine nature by means of His creation.
The latest inspiration He provided me came in the form of a gathering of ducks and geese.
Allow me to explain.
In my country, Monday was a holiday.
I recently purchased a new camera in order to take photographs for my church and my church family.
I decided to take my camera to the local park and experiment with its different settings and features in order to familiarize myself with them.
As I drove through the park I notice a large gathering of ducks and geese either sleeping or simply relaxing in the shade of the trees growing by the lake.
This was an opportunity I could not pass by.
I parked very nearby and approached slowly, camera in hand, and began taking photographs.
Even though they heard the sound of my car door closing and my approaching footsteps, my presence did not appear to bother them in the least.
While photographing them I could not help but notice the lake.
That brought Psalm 23 to mind.
Psalm 23:2 (KJV) - He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters.
I then wanted to get some close up photographs of these beautiful sleeping birds.
As I moved about them their routine remained unchanged.
Those that were awake were not the least bit frightened by my intrusion.
Those that slept did not awaken.
Again, another reminder.
Proverbs 3:24 (KJV) - When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
After taking many photographs at this location, I walked away from them and concentrated on other photographs.
I took photographs of the trees, the lake and the small island within it.
I had wandered a good distance from my starting point when I saw an older couple with their grandchild walking toward the group of birds I had recently left.
As they neared them, the setting that only moments before had been quiet and serene suddenly erupted into a collection of quacks and honks that could rival the noise of city traffic.
I wondered what caused them to suddenly become so excited.
I looked on as the grandmother gave the grandchild a bag from which he began to feed this collection of birds.
Obviously, this was a routine event.
These fortunate birds had become familiar with this kind group of people and, by conditioning, knew what they could expect from them.
Again, another reminder.
Matthew 6:26 (KJV) - Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are you not much better than they.
Through His creation, God both reminds us that He created all things and declared each good.
Yet some still deny His existence.
Paul explains this and also adds a stern warning.
Romans 1:20 (NET) - For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes - His eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, because they are understood through what has been made. So people are without excuse.
God uses His creation to reveal Himself to us.
God also uses His creation to remind us that His word is true.
God also gives us glimpses of His divine nature.
He also inspires creativity in us so that we can glorify Him.
Take it from someone who is not "the creative type".
Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com
Yet, one of the things I’ve learned since I started writing devotionals is that God provides not only inspiration but also reminders of His Word and actual glimpses into His divine nature by means of His creation.
The latest inspiration He provided me came in the form of a gathering of ducks and geese.
Allow me to explain.
In my country, Monday was a holiday.
I recently purchased a new camera in order to take photographs for my church and my church family.
I decided to take my camera to the local park and experiment with its different settings and features in order to familiarize myself with them.
As I drove through the park I notice a large gathering of ducks and geese either sleeping or simply relaxing in the shade of the trees growing by the lake.
This was an opportunity I could not pass by.
I parked very nearby and approached slowly, camera in hand, and began taking photographs.
Even though they heard the sound of my car door closing and my approaching footsteps, my presence did not appear to bother them in the least.
While photographing them I could not help but notice the lake.
That brought Psalm 23 to mind.
Psalm 23:2 (KJV) - He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters.
I then wanted to get some close up photographs of these beautiful sleeping birds.
As I moved about them their routine remained unchanged.
Those that were awake were not the least bit frightened by my intrusion.
Those that slept did not awaken.
Again, another reminder.
Proverbs 3:24 (KJV) - When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
After taking many photographs at this location, I walked away from them and concentrated on other photographs.
I took photographs of the trees, the lake and the small island within it.
I had wandered a good distance from my starting point when I saw an older couple with their grandchild walking toward the group of birds I had recently left.
As they neared them, the setting that only moments before had been quiet and serene suddenly erupted into a collection of quacks and honks that could rival the noise of city traffic.
I wondered what caused them to suddenly become so excited.
I looked on as the grandmother gave the grandchild a bag from which he began to feed this collection of birds.
Obviously, this was a routine event.
These fortunate birds had become familiar with this kind group of people and, by conditioning, knew what they could expect from them.
Again, another reminder.
Matthew 6:26 (KJV) - Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are you not much better than they.
Through His creation, God both reminds us that He created all things and declared each good.
Yet some still deny His existence.
Paul explains this and also adds a stern warning.
Romans 1:20 (NET) - For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes - His eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, because they are understood through what has been made. So people are without excuse.
God uses His creation to reveal Himself to us.
God also uses His creation to remind us that His word is true.
God also gives us glimpses of His divine nature.
He also inspires creativity in us so that we can glorify Him.
Take it from someone who is not "the creative type".
Blessings,
Jim Pokorny
The Other Brother Jim
http://otherbrotherjim.blogspot.com
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