Scott and I have been in Amelia Island, Florida since last Friday for the Superintendents Retreat. We were blessed to have an oceanfront room with a fifth floor balcony overlooking the beach. Every morning I have sat on the balcony and had my morning coffee with the Lord while gazing at the beautiful of His creation.
I am in awe of the ocean with its strength and beauty. I could stare at the waves for hours watching the water swell and then topple over and roll into the sandy beach. The sky has been equally beautiful. I would grab my camera and take a picture of this gorgeous sunrise and then five minutes later the scene would change – different but equally beautiful!
Then there are the animals that accessorize the ocean so well. At four different times this week, I have watched dolphins playing in the wake. This morning they consistently came up wherever the pelicans were sitting on the surface, playfully sending the large birds flying away. Even now as I write, the dolphins are playing in front of me.
As we walked the beach, we saw several jellyfish washed up on shore waiting for the high tide to come back and get them. How fascinating to stare closely at this mysterious life. Even the pesky seagulls and other birds have posed in gorgeous fashion for my camera this week.
Our God is so magnificent! Our Creator is so marvelous and His creation displays His glory and His power! It speaks of how BIG He is and how STRONG He is and how BEAUTIFUL He is!
I read through chapters 9 through 11 this morning and listened to all God had to say through Paul. But as I stared at the sunrise over the ocean, there were a few verses in this passage that intensified with the backdrop God provided for me as He showed off in all His glory.
Who are you, a mere human being, to argue with God? Should the thing that was created say to the one who created it, “Why have you made me like this?” When a potter makes jars out of clay, doesn’t he have the right to use the same lump of clay to make one jar for decoration and another to throw garbage into? – Romans 9:20-21
Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand his decisions and his ways!
For who can know the Lord’s thoughts?
Who knows enough to give him advice?
And who has given him so much that he needs to pay it back?
For everything comes from him and exists by his power and is intended for his glory. All glory to him forever! Amen. – Romans 12:33-36