A beach reminder--don't miss Him!

        For the record--God did a mighty wonderful thing when He created oceans and beaches.
        I think I'd forgotten, because, sadly, our family has not been able to go to the beach for several years.   But this past weekend, I enjoyed the unmitigated happiness of going to Topsail Beach for a little retreat with a number of women helping with our Bible study.
       And boy, I get why people love to head off to the beach: God's glory is displayed at every turn!  Not only that, we can doubly appreciate all that magnificence, because we enjoy it at a more leisurely pace that the beach always seems to engender.  Yes, I love the mountains, but the beach, well, pretty much a big "Wow!" there too.  Oh my, our God is amazing.
        Right now, I'm remembering and rejoicing in all this weekend's gifts: immersed in God's glorious handiwork...with women you love...sharing God's Word together...laughing a LOT...learning a LOT...sharing a LOT...eating a LOT (oh yeah!)...a LOT of chocolate (mandatory).  Add that all up, and you get BLISS.
       I could go on and on (and there's more coming on this later), but today I just wanted to share one simple reminder--
       We love and serve an extraordinarily awesome Lord, and He is gloriously reflected in an infinite number of ways in His creation.
       Yeah, yeah, you say?  But how often do we--busy with our own agendas or preoccupied with our own concerns--simply rush right by God's extravagant goodness and His gifts that surround us on every side?  Tragically, how easily we're too distracted to see it.
        How about I talk less and demonstrate more with a few pictures?
        Very early one morning, I headed out for a walk on the beach...and this is what greeted me--

       Serene beauty--our God is a God of perfect peace.  "The Lord gives strength to His people; the Lord blesses His people with peace." (Ps.29:11)
       Within minutes, the tiniest glimpse of the sun on the horizon--

         "From the rising of the sun to its setting, the name of the Lord be praised!" (Ps.113:3)
        Slowly, slowly, God's life-giving, life-sustaining sun began to rise--a reminder that His Son is our true Source of abundant Life.  He is the One who redeems us and daily sustains us.

        "In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men.  The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." (John 1:4-5)

         Another day was dawning--God is forever faithful.  "The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." (Lam.3:22-23)

        Just in case--with the hustle and bustle of life...or the sorrows and struggles of daily living...or simply eyes that are too focused upon self or technology or any infinitely lesser thing than Almighty God and His glories--might this be a reminder.
       Oh how great is our God!
       Slow down.  Savor the wonder.  Seek the Source of all this glory.  And soak in His infinitely good and glorious presence in worship and praise.
       Don't mis it...don't miss Him.  For in Him, you'll discover the peace, grace, love, forgiveness, and fullness of joy that your weary heart craves.  
       To God be the glory.