Quiet moments. Those rare parts of the day when things are still; your mind is not racing; no one is around; you just breathe deep and enjoy the solitude. I love these moments.
I drove through East Chicago and Gary, Indiana the other day, and when I got into Gary, seeing all the broken, burned-out and falling-down buildings, covered in graffiti, with old cars and decaying streets, I was struck how a once-proud, hard working, blue collar town had lost its luster and fallen into disrepair.
I pulled in to Michigan City and grabbed a Starbucks just in time for the spectacular sunset over Lake Michigan. I walked down to the beach, listening to the sound of the quiet waves hitting the sand and the calls of the gulls as they flew past my view of the lighthouse and the colorful sky, and I could sense a deep feeling of peace and calm. As I sat on my heels next to the water and shot some photos, I heard the laughter of a nearby group of folks shooting a young man’s senior pics.
Just a half hour earlier, driving those broken down streets, and now seeing the contrast of this gorgeous sky over Lake Michigan, I thought how it is with us… despite our broken mess of life — the ruined situations; when things are falling apart at the seams some days; when we wonder if it is even worth saving — there is a Divine message of hope and peace that is displayed in the skies and written on our hearts. Hold on. There is hope. What is broken can be made whole. What is ruined can be renewed. Stay the course. I am always with you. Sometimes it seems overwhelming and impossible, but I have to believe that in the midst of all of the mess, there is a possibility of salvation, you know?
When I see these skies and think about hope and renewal in the quiet moments, I often remember this amazing poem in the book of Psalms. “God’s glory is on tour in the skies. God-craft on exhibit across the horizon. Madame Day holds classes every morning, Professor Night lectures each evening. Their words aren’t heard, their voices aren’t recorded, but their silence fills the earth: unspoken truth is spoken everywhere. God makes a huge dome for the sun—a superdome! The morning sun’s a new husband leaping from his honeymoon bed, the daybreaking sun an athlete racing to the tape. That’s how God’s Word vaults across the skies from sunrise to sunset, melting ice, scorching deserts, warming hearts to faith. The revelation of God is whole and pulls our lives together. The signposts of God are clear and point out the right road. The life-maps of God are right, showing the way to joy. The directions of God are plain and easy on the eyes. God’s reputation is twenty-four-carat gold, with a lifetime guarantee. The decisions of God are accurate down to the nth degree. God’s Word is better than a diamond, better than a diamond set between emeralds. You’ll like it better than strawberries in spring — better than red, ripe strawberries. There’s more: God’s Word warns us of danger and directs us to hidden treasure. Otherwise how will we find our way? Or know when we play the fool? Clean the slate, God, so we can start the day fresh! Keep me from stupid sins, from thinking I can take over your work; then I can start this day sun-washed, scrubbed clean of the grime of sin. These are the words in my mouth; these are what I chew on and pray. Accept them when I place them on the morning altar, O God, my strength.” — Psalm 19, The Message