The Little Things

Let us always look forward to God’s demonstrations of His own greatness, but let us also be ever looking into the minute details of this world that we spend our lives in looking for the fingerprints of the Creator

Admittedly, I am a bona-fide, card-carrying member of the Fan Clubs that admire the super displays of God’s creative output. You know, sunrises, mountain views, ocean horizons, sunsets, my wife, etc. (She’ll fuss at me for that, but oh well!). The inner me that lives within this aging body of flesh and bone can’t escape the overwhelming reality of a creative God when I’m in the sanctuary of such awesomeness! However, I am equally intrigued by the far less glamorous, inconspicuous, often overlooked yet still as amazing presentations that the Creator gives us free admission to view on the big screen of His handiwork. Perhaps some of these will pique your thinking and admiration…

1. Ants – Down here in Louisiana, these annoying yet amazing critters are literally everywhere. I have observed the results of their hard work when overnight a significantly large anthill suddenly appeared in my yard. I have witnessed their desire to survive when rapidly rising water on the lake covered their dirt home leaving them bound together in one large wad floating on the water’s surface in hopes of landing on something solid that will be suitable for a new home and a new start. Man! What if we were that industrious and resilient! No wonder the writer of Proverbs pointed us to these insects for inspiration in our human lives (Proverbs 6:6-11). Ants – who’d have thought that God could show us so much through such a small thing…
2. Color Patterns – As a hunter, I am always seeking ways to blend in with my surroundings. It is laughable that we human beings can develop new modes of technology, ever-improving means of making life easier, and life extending medical advancements, yet we find ourselves only able to copy an original idea when it comes to camouflaging ourselves in the wild. The original idea of God when He created this world is perfectly fit for an old cat squirrel to elude the watchful eyes of predators and hunters and is equally suited for hunters to hide in hopes of fooling the eyes of their quarry. The way God made it in the first place is the best it can be for a multitude of critters in a plethora of circumstances. No wonder He looked at His creation and exclaimed that it was very good (Genesis 1:31)! Imagine that – God knew what He was doing. Oh for politicians to recognize that fact!
3. Seasons – While I am reminded from time to time by my mother that as an elementary student, I proudly answered my science teacher’s inquiry of the four seasons by stating the obvious – there was Deer Season, Duck Season, Squirrel Season, and Rabbit Season! Duh! – the subtle but constant movement from one season to the next is a steady source of amazement for me. Granted, Louisiana seems to only have two seasons at times – Hot and Not Quite as Hot – there is, however, the timely tilting of the Earth towards and away from the Sun resulting in the warming and cooling trends that affect every life form on Earth. Some winters are cooler than others and some summers are warmer than others, but the steady, constant, reliable changing from cold to warm and back again gives us something to always look forward to. So, whether you’re a tater farmer longing for the cool but not cold of early Spring or a big buck hunter anxiously awaiting the frosty mornings of fall, the promise of the right-on-time changing of the seasons remains (Genesis 8:22).

These three are but a few of the myriad Little Things that God gives us as reminders that He is in control. Perhaps you can offer another example or two? I look forward to reading these in the comments you will leave. Let us always look forward to God’s demonstrations of His own greatness, but let us also be ever looking into the minute details of this world that we spend our lives in looking for the fingerprints of the Creator that He has left for us to discover and enjoy. And when we meet up again, whether surrounded by the majesty of mountain grandeur or the commonalities of everyday life, I’ll look forward to discussing all the Little Things God has revealed to us…In the Great Outdoors!