Wondering (By Lory Persaud)

Scripture: Isaiah 40:26-31

Have you caught the chance to get out of the city, stay up late and be outside in the dark August heat to view the Perseid Meteor Shower that dazzles the skies over the Northern Hemisphere this time of year? It peaked last week on Tuesday, but the Perseids are still active for a few more days. I remember when I first saw this awe-inducing display as a teenager. It was unexpected on that summer evening; I had just hoped to see one shooting star when I laid my head down in the grass in the back yard outside my house in the country. Seemingly out of nowhere, I saw a bright tale streak across the sky. Then another. And another. I would have been happy for the sight of one, but I was completely overwhelmed, unable to take my eyes off the skies to go to bed that night. Needless to say, I stayed up very late as every 30 seconds or so, these radiant lights flashed through the sky and I was filled with a sense of wonder.

Lift your eyes and look to the heavens:
Who created all these?
He who brings out the starry host one by one,
And calls them each by name.
Because of his great power and mighty strength,
Not one of them is missing.         
Isaiah 40:26

I don’t know about you, but every so often I feel that need to be filled with wonder again. Sometimes I need to stop and let myself be overwhelmed by the intricate beauty of creation. It helps me remember how infinitely small I am and it reminds me how enormously vast God is and how He is the creative Orchestrator of this world, divinely moving and working all things together for his great purpose and glory.

Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
The Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
And his understanding no one can fathom.
Isaiah 40:28

When we stop and remember God’s might, his boundless strength and sovereign power, it gives us permission and freedom to be weak, to not know all the answers, to not understand how all the pieces fit together. When life gets messy, as it is most certain to do from time to time, there is a relief in letting go of our need to control every plan, outcome and perception. Why do we believe the lie that we can do it all alone? Why would we even want to when the God who created the universe wants to walk with us, carry us, help us?

He gives strength to the weary
And increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,
And young men stumble and fall;
But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
They will run and not grow weary,
They will walk and not be faint.
Isaiah 40:31

Songs:
Indescribable by Chris Tomlin
God of All Comfort by Ellie Holcomb