The Heavens Declare the Glory of God

Josh and I just got back from one of our favorite places- Yosemite National Park. We stay up in Tuolumne meadows, a little off the beaten path, and love the majesty and splendor of this place. While there we hiked to Gaylor Lakes and were blown away by the beauty of these glacial lakes. While we were hiking we talked about how so many people simply drive through Yosemite, sticking to a few popular trails, and miss out on the true grandeur that Yosemite has to offer. They only see the smallest glimpse of its beauty As I thought about this it struck me that as believers, that is how this world is for us. As beautiful as Yosemite is, it is but the smallest glimmer of what the beauty of heaven will be like. My human mind cannot imagine a place more beautiful than Yosemite, but I know it is just a glimpse of the beauty of God's glory and creation that will surround us in heaven!

My Favorite Attribute

My favorite attribute of God has, for a long time now, been His Sovereignty. This attribute gives me such hope and peace. However, as I have grown in my faith I've seen more and more how God's sovereignty is intimately connected to every one of His other attributes. We can find peace and hope in God's sovereignty because of His goodness, faithfulness, and justice. I recently came across this great quote from Charles Spurgeon that describes God's role in our circumstances far more eloquently than I can:

“Unerring wisdom ordained your lot, and selected for you the safest and best condition. Remember this, had any other condition been better for you than the one in which you are, divine love would have put you there. You are placed by God in the most suitable circumstances. Be content with such things as you have, since the Lord has ordered all things for your good.”

So much of how I live from day to day is impacted by how I live out, or in many cases fail to live out, my belief in God's Sovereignty. It is not merely on a whim that He does things, but rather he ordains them by His "unerring wisdom." As believers, our hope is in this sovereignly wise God who out of perfect wisdom and goodness not only ordained his Son to die for us, but ordains every step and circumstance of our lives. That is a hope that endures and that a dying world can not comprehend.

Summer

When you are a teacher summer never ceases to lose its beauty. The prospect of catching up on some much needed sleep, spending time with my husband, and relaxing at the beach is something I look forward to each year. I sometimes forget that people with "real" jobs don't get the summers off! That said, while I definitely am looking forward to some much needed relaxation, I have a list of things I want to accomplish this summer. At the top of that list I have some ambitious reading and writing goals for this summer, and unlike previous summers I am determined that I will actually follow through this time! I’ll keep you posted on my progress over the following weeks. Happy Sumer (and happy reading)!