God through tropical telescopes

I want to know the imagination 
that gave birth to constellations 
Eyes that foresaw the universe’s formation
That spoke creation
into reality
The hands that fine-tuned the gravity
of every planet 
in every galaxy
That painted the cosmos 
with stars too far 
for the human eye to see
That set free 
every neural pathway 
at the heart of human ingenuity
I want to know
the one who took great care 
to number every hair
on the human head
Who invited his children to rule in his stead
in the image of one who wed
absolute power with immeasurable kindness

I want to know the one 
who embeds divine fingerprints
within every
gorgeous grassland
harmonious horizon
inventive iceberg
and resilient rainforest

All of these
biological binoculars 
tropical telescopes
Tools meant for us to look through
Yet more often we look to them 
to be you
to do you 
Far too often we’re satisfied with a view
so small and insufficient 
marvelling at the instrument
not the never-ending
kaleidoscope of the Creator’s celestial creativity
If we only knew
the creation we’re looking to
longs like we do
longs for you

longs for you 
to return
to restore
to clear all residue
the decay we’re so used to

Until then
all we can do is camp
camp at the crossroads of your character
swim in the currents of your call
You
the one who’s always caring
rather than our consuming
using and abusing
The one who has renewed and is renewing
us
and our perspective

Seeing creation
as an invitation
to behold your glory
And to care for it
to showcase your character
and your story

[Editor’s Note: When God created the world, he saw that “it was good.” In this celebrate creation series, we want to explore how our faith in Jesus helps us celebrate and enjoy what’s good in creation––but also work as stewards to help it thrive to its fullest potential.

Caring for our planet, including plants and animals, fungi and microbes, ecosystems and people, is a high calling from God––a calling in which we can engage out of love and not fear. The gospel gives us hope that what is broken can be restored, and even now, we can enjoy what has been given to us.

Join us as we #celebratecreation.]