Disconnected

When was the last time you got up before the sun, just to watch it rise and marvel at the colors?

Or went to the west edge of town to have a clear view of the sunset?

Have you been awed at the color and size of the rising full moon as the light waves are bent as they enter the earth’s gravitational pull and atmosphere?

Or found a dark place away from the light pollution of the city to stare at the night sky?

To gaze at the stars, the moon, the planets?

To watch the skyscapes in the clouds?

To listen to the heavens as they declare the glory of God? (Psalm 8, 19)

Have you ever planted a garden and enjoyed the harvest?

The beauty and scents of the flowers?

Participated as a steward of the land as a partner with God?

Have you found beauty in deserts, prairies and forests?

In mountains and canyons, hills and plains?

When did you last watch with wonder as a flower opened?

Or marveled at the structural differences among lilies, mums, orchids and roses?

When did you last pause to watch a bee, hummingbird or hawk moth hover as their wings moved faster than your eye could perceive?

Or watch a hawk or an eagle glide on thermals, scarcely moving their wings at all?

All these are the work of one and the same God, awesome in power, wonderful in deed, mystifying in design, detail and intricacy.

When was the last time you sought a quiet place to sit still in the silence, resisting the urge to fill the void with sound and motion, that you might know that He is God? (Psalm 46:10)

We live in a beautiful place, though we seldom stop to recognize or appreciate it. 

We are much more aware of that which annoys, displeases and offends us.

When was the last time you ... 

Went to a neighbor’s house just to say, “Hi,” or “How are you?”

Said, “How are you,” and actually listened to the response?

Saw the pain or heard the desperation in a stranger’s voice, and offered to help?

Saw the hurt in the eyes of your wife or husband or child, and apologized and asked forgiveness?

Rejoiced and offered genuine congratulations when good came to your rival? (Romans 12:20)

Were quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry? (James 1:19)

Spoke only what was helpful for building others up according to their needs, rather than gossiping about them, or tearing them down? (Ephesians 4:29)

Put the needs of someone else above your own? (Philippians 2:3-4)

Loved someone with all your heart, not holding back (to keep from getting hurt)?

Were wronged, but chose not to get even, forgave the offender, and chose not to hold a grudge?

Erred greatly, accepted responsibility, and did not blame someone else?

Looked deep into your own heart and were honest with yourself?

Realized this world is really not about you?

We live in a disconnected society, a disconnected culture.

Disconnected from the land, and the production of the food we need to live;

Disconnected from the beauty and fragility of nature, over which we were meant to be stewards; 

Disconnected from our spouse, our children, our parents, ...

Disconnected from friends, neighbors, coworkers, ..., ourselves.

Many have recognized such disconnects exist, and in straight order, have proposed some way to reconnect, to mend what is broken. 

But this action reveals the greatest disconnect of them all, and the source of all the other disconnects we experience. 

We cannot fix ourselves. Why?

We are disconnected from God, the Creator of the world, the Author of life, the Lover of our souls, the Source of purpose, Who, because of His great love and mercy and amazing grace, bought us back from self-destruction, provided forgiveness in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, offering peace and hope and meaning and joy.

There is no balance when we are disconnected from God. Only in being reconciled to God through the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is there hope to begin reconnecting with His creation, with people, with ourselves. 

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139:23-24)

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19:14)

Lord, by Your Holy Spirit, draw us back to You, through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who is the only Truth, the Life, and the Way.

Woe to us, for we are undone. (Isaiah 6:5)

Reconnect us, Lord, to You, that when restored, we may begin to reconnect with everything else in Your creation.

10-12-2011