As I was driving home today from work, watching out for those who change lanes without looking and tailgate at 70 miles per hour, I sought out a happy place in my mind. This Sunday's sermon will be about praise, but as I drove down US33, I struggled with finding a praiseful attitude. This has been a tough week for me. I read news reports that the gun rights battle wages on, even as a gun zealot pulled a handgun on me, just because he didn't like where I parked my truck. I had other drivers cutting me off and tailgating me on pretty much a per mile basis.
The only happy place I could find was out in creation, out in nature. And then what came to my mind was my favorite sounds in nature. I must admit I am not a big bird chirping fan. Two of my favorite sounds in nature are the bugling of the elk in early autumn and waterfalls. My favorite sound in nature may very well surprise you. It is the sound of a gentle breeze blowing past the spines of the Saguaro cactus.
When I worked at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum in Superior, Arizona, I would go hiking on the Arizona Trail after work. The trail was only a couple miles west of the arboretum. When I would get to the top of the first big hill I would stand, or sit on a large rock, and listen to the wind. The hill was far enough away that you could not hear noise from the highway; no airplanes flying overhead. Just the sound of the wind rushing past the spines of the Saguaro.
When I got home tonight, I looked up in the scriptures if that could count as praising God. What I found was Romans 14:17-18, " For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, 18 because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and receives human approval."
Being out in creation definitely brings me joy and peace, and this joy is pleasing to God. So yes, in my Spirit, I am praising God with the joy and peace I am experiencing in my soul. I do miss my favorite sounds, camping out in my tent as the elk call out in the meadow nearby, or taking a well-deserved rest as the winds kiss the spiny guardians of the desert. I pray I will discover new favorite sounds here in Ohio.
I challenge you to find that thing which brings praise to your heart.
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