Calling, "Shotgun!": The Wisdom of Dory and Deborah

The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.
There is no speech or language
where their voice is not heard.
Their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,
which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion,
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is hidden from its heat. (Psalm 19)

Every 11 years the sun goes through a period of increased solar activity. It ejects plumes of plasma heated to a million degrees Celsius. One such coronal mass ejection occurred this week on 2/24/11. Talk about a fierce and dangerous beauty. Fortunately it was not pointed in Earth's direction. We love a tan and the sun's warmth upon our faces, especially here during Alaska's dark winter, but our sun is a most ungentle giant.

The psalm above tells us the sun is daily declaring the Glory of its Creator. Along with the other heavenly bodies it speaks eloquently of the Most High One, revealing a special knowledge of Him in the language of the cosmos. Like a runner at the starting line the sun digs a foot into the dirt. Like a bridegroom claiming his bride he will not be deterred. As a champion rejoicing to run the race he tenses his body awaiting the signal. It comes, he is released and darkness is chased from the field. Sunrise Glory!

As I think on this I am reminded of Christ's words in Matthew 6, "Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven." We on earth were all created to reveal His Glory just as the obedient sun does. To run this race with power and endurance. To chase darkness from the field in His Name.

Like real athletes sometimes we have to run through pain and discouragement, fighting for every inch of ground between the start and the finish. Sometimes we seem to fly. Sometimes we are cheered on by inspired fans but sometimes life screams at us to lay down and die. It is all part of the race, the destiny whispered to our soul in the womb, when God said, "Run!" Run to Him. Run doubt and fear and discouragement off the field. Leave the devils choking on faith's dust.

Divorce? Run on past. Illness? Pick up the pace. Troubled kids? Keep going. Life a mess? Get back on the track. Incarceration? That does not disqualify you. Depression? Find your second wind...when you do it will be the Wind of the Spirit. It takes heart and grace and agreement to keep on going. Got it covered. You are a Born Again Winner. Reborn to make a stand up finish!

I am probably not the only Finding Nemo fan here and I would be rich if I had five dollars for every time I have told myself, "Just keep swimming! Just keep swimming!" Sometimes Disney gets it right. I confess a greater admiration for the encouragement of Judges 5:31, "So may all your enemies perish, LORD! But may all who love you be like the sun when it rises in its strength." There it is that 'be it done on earth' part.

We may not always visualize it but the King of Glory has placed all the Universe, all the angels of Heaven, Sun, Moon and Stars in the stands to encourage and cheer us on. They will fight for us and applaud us and celebrate when we cross the finish. They will show up for every race, every qualifying match, every practice. We will behold their bright joy when a crown is placed upon our heads.

Deborah after the battle sang about such help and encouragement and I love her lyrics:

From the heavens the stars fought,
from their courses they fought against Sisera.
The river Kishon swept them away,
the age-old river, even the river Kishon fought.
March on, my soul; be strong! (Judges 5:20-21)

Whatever we may be facing today or in the days ahead consider the sage wisdom of Dory and Deborah:

KEEP ON SWIMMING!
MARCH ON, MY SOUL, BE STRONG!

For the Lord is coming for us as the Bridegroom comes for the Bride.
Let us run out to meet Him!

http://www.space.com/10965-monster-solar-flare-sun-photo.html

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