Thought for the Day, from Lynn McCann
Last week Ben, my 4-year old great-grandson, and I were up at the airport. He loves the planes! He became more and more excited as the propellers started to spin. As the plane slowly started to roll towards the runway, Ben threw wide his arms and yelled “GOOD JOB GUYS!!!”. He was absolutely bouncing as the plane sped down the runway and lifted off. He hollered “GO GET HIM GWAMMA…GO CATCH HIM!!”. His disappointment knew no bounds as I explained that I couldn’t go catch him since my van didn’t have any wings. I thought perhaps I should trade my old van in for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang!
Even though I was grounded by my wingless van, my imagination soared and I was flying high looking down on the countryside. From up there I could see the meadows, trees, mountains, lakes, rivers and ocean … an amazing sight. A peaceful, non-political, sight. A myriad of colours woven together. Shapes and sizes of every dimension not only coexisting but their diversity making the earth so incredibly beautiful.
If only we humans could be more like the nature God has given us. A forest could not sustain itself if only one type of tree grew within it. Each tree needs the variety and strengths found in its neighbours to be strong … so do we.
We have found ourselves in a situation that six months ago we could not have imagined. Our world population lives in fear of Covid-19 and each other. Some of the world’s ‘leaders’ remind me of the Three Stooges, making lots of noise, poking others in the eye, creating mass confusion and generally making matters worse.
People are becoming discouraged, tired and lonely. Some wonder if God even knows or cares what we are going through. Here, we are luckier than many people since we have the luxury of natural isolation and space. We can go out and enjoy the beauty of nature all around us and not worry about being crowded. We have the space not to be afraid of our neighbours. People are using their imaginations to soar, like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, above the problems created by Covid-19. They are finding creative ways to be of help to one another.
These thoughts brought to mind the passage in Isaiah about rising on wings like eagles, a passage I believe most of us are familiar with. While re-reading that verse, I backtracked a bit and found further verses that are most appropriate for us in this time. I invite you to reacquaint yourself with Isaiah 40: 25-31.
Isaiah 40: 25-31
To whom can the holy God be compared? Is there anyone else like him? Look up at the sky! Who created the stars you see? The one who leads them out like an army, he knows how many there are and calls each one by name! His power is so great---not one of them is ever missing! Israel, why then do you complain that the LORD doesn’t know your troubles or care if you suffer injustice? Don’t you know? Haven’t you heard? The LORD is the everlasting God; he created all the world. He never grows tired or weary. No one understands his thoughts. He strengthens those who are weak and tired. Even those who are young grow weak; young men can fall exhausted. But those who trust in the LORD for help will find their strength renewed. They will rise on wings like eagles; they will run and not get weary; they will walk and not grow weak.
Prayer
Dear God, we who are even less than a blink of an eye in the timespan of your universe, thank you that you care for each one of us. That you know us better than we know ourselves. That you love us in spite of ourselves. Thank you for creating in us the capacity for faith. Help us remember to exercise our privilege of calling on you for the strength we need to overcome our challenges. Thank you for the loving people who surround us. Help us be a blessing for you. Amen.