Genesis 1:20-21 (NKJV)
Luke 28:16 (NKJV)
Two of my grandchildren live on the coast and on warm days they often make trips to the ocean. Because they have access to a whole world that my other six grandchildren do not have, they are blessed and fascinated with sea creatures. In addition to going to the beach, one of their favorite places to visit is the aquarium. They are in their early elementary school grades and they recently took it upon themselves to make and cut out construction sea creatures to decorate their rooms at home.
Their cut-out creatures were very well done and when they gave me feedback on a recent video, I was really impressed with their work. There were a few creatures I had questions about because I have never actually seen that species. Once they knew I was interested, they gave me a lot of information I didn't know before.
Their interest led me to a new found appreciation for the mysterious creatures in the sea. Since 71% of the earth's surface is water, I would assume that our oceans are a wide open world we have only just started to understand. Who knows what we will uncover in the future as we learn more about the ocean's wonders.
In Genesis 1:20-21, we read: “Then God said, “Let the waters abound with an abundance of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the face of the firmament of the heavens.” So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters abounded, according to their kind, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.”
The same two grandchildren and I also talk about various bird species. My photos of birds in the midwest are a little different from the flying friends they see on the coast, so it makes for interesting discussion. I am in awe of their knowledge and wonder of both sea and sky creatures.
We have recently exchanged photos of one magnificent bird that we both have access to...the eagle. A few years ago, I was told about an eagle's nest not far from where I live. The nest is easy to see from the road. It is massive! Since discovering the nest, I have been interested in how eagles build the nest, care for their young, feed them, and get them ready to build their own nests. Since my grandchildren also spotted an eagle near their home, we exchange facts about those birds.
So, you might be wondering why my discussions with my grandchildren is relevant to Genesis 1:20-21?
I think it speaks to the grandeur of God's plan for the creatures He made in the sea and sky. I love it that my grandchildren are so fascinated with God’s creation that they have made it a point to study and learn more about those creatures.
Besides, Jesus made it clear in Luke 18:16 when He called the children to him,
“But Jesus called them to Him and said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.”
I've long known (and learned from my own children) that there is much I can learn from children. I don’t know if education has changed through the years, but I do know that my own children taught me eons of things I didn’t and don’t know. Now, two generations forward I see a wide-eyed curiosity of this new generation of explorers that tells me they will uncover new worlds my generation knows nothing about. God created a world in the sea and sky that we barely understand. This new generation will explore and uncover even more about what God has in store for us.
I believe that as this new generation of very young explorers studies and develops an even greater curiosity, they will ask questions, build better ocean and sky vessels, and seek to answer questions my generation hasn't even asked. That's because exploration is IN us. What I realized from talking to my grandchildren is that God has given them a desire to learn more than I even imagine is possible. That desire will blossom into new hope for the future. While baby boomers once were the new generation that explored, now my grandchildren will build on what we started.
That's the way God created us.
The last part of Genesis 1:21 pretty much says it all..."and God saw that it was good."
Today, even today, I think God looks at this new generation of explorers and calls it VERY good!
Today's Spiritual Practice is: Thank God for Sea and Sky Creatures
Spend time thinking about what we know about God's creation and be thankful! I would also add that we can be thankful for what generations to come will discover. I am ever so grateful that God has given this new generation a wonderful curiosity and desire to learn!
In God, Deborah
acrazyjourney.com
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