God’s Good Wonder
I fell in love with whales in Nova Scotia. We took one of my dream trips that summer, driving from Boston to Nova Scotia and all around that wild, wonder-filled maritime province of Canada. It’s still my favorite place of all.
I booked a boat tour on the Bay of Fundy, excited at the possibility of spotting our first whale, not counting the orca I had seen as a little girl at Sea World. Three hours passed with sightings of far-off dolphins and hordes of seagulls, but no whales. Knowing we’d have to turn back soon, I felt tears of disappointment starting. Our sixteen-year-old daughter had already checked out, sitting on the deck drawing pictures to her boyfriend on her phone, while my other two kids mentioned to me, every two minutes, how cold it was on the open bay.
Then the captain turned the boat sharply to the west, and he picked up speed. Another captain had spotted humpback whales, and we were in pursuit.
The wonder of two whales so close I could have reached out and felt the barnacles on their backs cannot be explained. Twice the size of our boat, the pair swam next to us, their backs rising and falling with their great strength. It felt like God had poured part of his power into these animals and was swimming there too, right beside us.
Other people enjoy city vacations, with their bustle and endless activities. Some prefer beach resorts with nothing to do but relax. I like the wild, rocky ocean, a boat headed out to sea, and animals in the wild. (Make no mistake, however—I also like hotels and warm, comfy beds at the end of a day in the wild.)
Something about standing at the edge of an ocean, or looking down at a whale gliding next to me, reminds me of the majesty of my creator and the smallness of me.
“Do you know when the wild goats give birth?
Have you watched as deer are born in the wild?
“Who gives the wild donkey its freedom?
Who untied its ropes?
“Will the wild ox consent to being tamed?
Will it spend the night in your stall?
“Have you given the horse its strength
or clothed its neck with a flowing mane?
Did you give it the ability to leap like a locust?
Its majestic snorting is terrifying!
It paws the earth and rejoices in its strength
when it charges out to battle.
It laughs at fear and is unafraid.
It does not run from the sword.
“Is it your wisdom that makes the hawk soar
and spread its wings toward the south?
Is it at your command that the eagle rises
to the heights to make its nest? (Job 39, NLT)
You might think being reminded of your own smallness and vulnerability would be depressing, but it’s quite the opposite. When all the cares of being a pastor, mom, writer, student, and volunteer crash on me with their intense weight of responsibility, it’s restoring to stand with my toes touching the crashing waves and remember that I am only a drop in that ocean.
What I do matters, but it is a tiny blip in history. That means the world doesn’t rest on my shoulders. It rests on the one who created the sunlight and the tides, the honeybee and the humpback whale. My job isn’t to do all the things but to remain connected to the one who rotates the earth I walk on.
Whales keep my awe at creation alive; they revive my wonder when it is flagging from too much life in too little time. Isaiah 55:3 says to “Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life.” Keeping my ears and eyes open keeps me in a state of wonder, listening for more of God’s good world and allowing it to intrude into my structured, careful agenda, which is so often too structured and too carefully protected.
I’ve gone on three more whale watching trips since then. I can’t stay away from the glorious creatures that tell me, over and over, of the power and wonder of a God who would make such things for the joy of it.
Whatever your choice of vacation, wonder is all around. Reminders of our finiteness and God’s power to hold everything together are there if we keep our ears and eyes open.
Prayer
God, you are the author of all creation and the vine to which we must remain attached. You are the one who guards the thunder and the one who knows each hair on our heads. You are awesome in the best meaning of the word. Make us more aware of your glory and wonder today. Help us to look around us and see. Help us to open our ears and listen. Help us to open our mouths and tell of your glory. Amen.
Scripture for Reflection
“So remember this and keep it firmly in mind: The Lord is God both in heaven and on earth, and there is no other.” (Deuteronomy 4:39)
“You made the moon to mark the seasons,
and the sun knows when to set.
You send the darkness, and it becomes night,
O Lord, what a variety of things you have made!
In wisdom you have made them all.
The earth is full of your creatures.
Here is the ocean, vast and wide,
teeming with life of every kind,
both large and small.
May the glory of the Lord continue forever!
The Lord takes pleasure in all he has made!”
Reach for More
- Go outside today, whether your yard or an ocean beach, and listen. What do you hear? What does it say about God?
- Look at your spouse, child, friend, parent. Really look. Where is the glory of God there? Give thanks for it.
- Read Psalm 104 and write three things you learned about God.
is a writer, speaker, pastor, mom of three, and author of five books. She likes to travel, grow flowers, read Tolkien, and research her next project. She believes in Jesus, grace, restoration, kindness, justice, and dark chocolate. Her passion is partnering with the next generation of faith. Jill blogs at jillmrichardson.com.
Photograph © Thomas Kelley, used with permission
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