When I Looked At The Sky

What does the sky make you think of?

When you lay on your back looking up at the starry night or the clouds by day, how do your thoughts wander? Where does your mind go?

The weather in the evenings has been wonderful lately. A couple of nights ago, after taking a walk and catching a lightening bug (reminding me of summer nights growing up in a small town 😌) I laid on my back and let my eyes wander to the sky. I watched the cloud patterns move back and forth and change shape. I watched patches of fairy tale blue sky appear and disappear through coverings of fluffy clouds.

And I thought about my God.

I thought about how He made the color blue. I thought about how He made the clouds that shade me from the sun and send rain when needed. I thought about how He made the complex structures of my eyes so that I can see all that He has created. And I thought about how small I am in comparison to Him, but in an I-have-a-big-God-who-will-protect-me kind of way.

I wonder if we were made to feel closer to God when we are out in the world that He created. Not because the earth is something we should worship (because it isn’t and never will be), but because everywhere we look when we’re outside, we see God’s handiwork and creativity and majesty. Everywhere we look, we can encounter Him and listen to what He is wanting to tell us/show us.

I spend so much time looking down – at my phone, in a book, or focused on the worries inside my head. But when I look up into the great expanse of the heavens, the mountains I make of mole hills seem so small. I know God cares about my problems, but the fact that He cares about me means He doesn’t want me to stress or worry so much. He doesn’t want me to focus on the things of earth but on things above, on Him.

“If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” – Colossians 3:1-4

“I life up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” – Psalm 121:1-2

“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” -Psalm 19:1