|
Listen to this devotional: |
Listen while you read: "O Lord Of Heav'n And Earth And Sea"1 (Lyrics) |
Psalm 111:2 – Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them. (NIV)
One morning, I decided simply to gaze at some blue jays just outside our window. I did that for a reason: I felt that I was becoming too complacent about blue jays. They're always around — plenty of them. I saw them mostly as raucous squawkers that chase smaller birds away from the feeder and gobble up the seed.
Yet, I noticed that our guests viewed the blue jays quite differently. As soon as a bird perched near the window, they'd get all excited. They'd stop our conversation and, with wide-eyed wonder, they'd blurt, "Oh wow! Look at that blue jay!" Some guests have even reached for their cell phone cameras to take pictures. They'd sit at the window and wait patiently for the ideal photo opportunity. So much for our conversation! The blue jays had stolen the show — yet again!
That particular morning, I was determined to view the blue jays through the eyes of our guests, so I lingered at the window and simply gazed upon their beauty. As I stood there, I found myself awe-struck by the colours: the dazzling blues glowing in the sunlight, the black and white marks setting off the pure blue hues. I was captured by the stately crest. Truly, a blue jay is distinct in its beauty.
That day, the splendour of those birds truly delighted me. But more than that, it changed me. My little exercise had caused me to divert my thoughts away from the relentless routines, concerns, and humdrum of life. The clock stood still for a few moments. A serene peace welled up within. A song arose from my heart to the One Who reflects His beauty in all He creates — for He Himself is the epitome of beauty.
Psalm 27:4 – One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. (NIV)
I believe that every human heart yearns to be utterly immersed in beauty — ultimately the beauty of the Lord — to dwell in His infinite, eternal presence, to delight in Him every moment, and to experience an existence beyond life's temporal confines. This is surely an authentic, godly desire.
Why is the beauty of our Lord so splendid, so desirable, and so rewarding? It is because in Him, we experience something utterly distinct from anything else we know. For He alone is pure and true, free from moral tarnish, set apart from the brokenness of the world in which we are immersed. Gazing on His holy beauty is, in fact, true worship:
Psalm 96:9a – O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. (KJV)
Prayer: O Lord, teach us to overcome those hindrances which keep us from recognizing Your beauty and delighting in it. Whenever our eyes get riveted on the concerns of life, please centre us back in You, that we may gaze on Your holy beauty and be transformed by it — for Your glory. Amen.
Forward this devotional Share this devotional on Facebook Like PresbyCan on Facebook
Although PresbyCan doesn't have a mobile app, you can still have a PresbyCan icon on your mobile phone home screen. 
Sunday, September 8, 2024 – In Central British Columbia — Pray for the Cariboo House Churches in British Columbia as the people gather from across the Cariboo region to celebrate 35 years of mission outreach. Pray for a fresh wind of the Holy Spirit to empower people to reach out in their own communities.
terminal illness: "Update September 5, 2024: Gisele had the biopsy done yesterday but will not get the results for..." 
Thanks for sharing Diane.
Enjoy the beauty of His creation.
Deep truth in this. Thanks Diane.
Thank you for this excellent devotional that made me aware of taking in the beauty of the Lord in nature.
Beautiful word today, Diane….just chased the blues right away!
Blessings.
So wonderful gazing at what God has made with a new perspective. Beautiful. Thanks.
(B.C.)
Diane
What a lovely devotional. It speaks to me (simply and with strength). Keep up the good work.
Lovely. We do tend to see the bluejay as always there but we don’t really look and appreciate its beauty. Thanks for the reminder that we need to stop and really take in the beauty that surrounds us every day in Our Father’s World.
Do continue to write.
Hi Diane. I really enjoyed the devotional that you wrote today. It is good to be reminded of God’s beauty. I take the beautiful sunsets and creatures too much for granted. Thank you for the reminder that we can see the beauty of the Lord reflected all around us. God Bless.
Thank you, Diane, for a new perspective on bird watching. I have often overlooked the beauty of Bluejays due to their proclivity to rule all they survey lording it over the other birds. I must admit my favorite in the bird world is the cardinal. Thanks again.
Blessings.
Diane, Thanks for sharing this devotional with us. I could see the blue jay in my mind’s eye almost as clearly as I see the Cardinal pair at my feeders. The male’s vibrant red truly stands out among the drab colors of the others. I see blue jays occasionally, too. Their raucous cry draws my eyes to the window. May we be as bold in drawing others to the Lord Jesus Christ. Thanks again for writing. Blessings.
Hi Diane!
How nice to continue to read your devotionals! I am visiting the province of Newfoundland right now, and as we drive along, I, too, have noticed the most interesting, seemingly little things in God’s great world. Much of this province is forested, of course, but the many shades of green have impressed me. Today, we saw a beautiful iceberg which had been blown into a harbour, and the many shades of white, blue-white, and beige-white within the berg were actually beautiful. How has this berg formed in this way? So much to think about!
Anyways, continue your wonderful writing! I enjoy your messages and analogies very much.
Hi Diane,
I love to look at the birds too, as a matter of fact I have a wood duck, mounted, that is/was one of my hobbies and I have used it several times in a children’s story, to point out to all how wonderful God has created things. and then we usually sing; “All things bright and beautiful, the Lord God made them all.”
Thanks for writing.
Dear Diane,
Thank you for the words to spur us humans on to worship our Lord in the beauties of his creation and in the beauties of his holiness.
A song arose from my heart to the One Who reflects His beauty in all He creates – for He Himself is the epitome of beauty.
Yes, from my kitchen window even this morning I stared amazed at the flashing blue and white of bluejays in my garden.
Keep writing.
Diane,
I am entirely delighted with your devotional and I feel as if I could have written it. As you may have noticed many devotionals lately have dealt with animals in nature (latterly: squirrels). We seem to be on the same wave length in watching different ones as we have been looking out the window and finding the sight lifts our hearts to praise and worship of their Creator.
We have both been given a wonderful gift in this respect. Glad you have recognized yours in the blue jays.
Bless you!