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"The heavens are telling the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims his handiwork." — Psalm 19:1
I'm sure more than one passerby wondered what the big dork adorned with a cowboy hat was doing staring into the sunrise that broke over our little city located on the northern prairie.
After all, I was standing on the sidewalk outside a restaurant where I was headed for a meeting on full display to all. But I couldn't help it.
Seconds before, as I exited my truck, my attention was grabbed by the brilliant display of clouds hanging low on the horizon, obscuring the sun itself but making for it a brilliant canvas on which to display its work.
The altocumulus clouds appearing in an undulatus pattern (no, I did not know any of this until I Googled it) were on fire with brilliant purples and oranges and yellows. Set against the cottony white clouds and the robin's egg blue sky ... well, the word "breathtaking" doesn't do the sight justice.
In fact, neither did the photo of the horizon I took do it justice either. Another reminder that no matter what we humans build, the Creator's work still trumps ours.
I stood transfixed. It's the only way to describe the moment.
As you can imagine, we navigate a lot of challenging events each week working alongside those who utilize emergency shelter and food pantry services. Sometimes the weight of it all can dull your wonder about just how exquisite creation is.
But on this one morning, God's beauty won out. I stood looking foolish, a middle-aged man in a cowboy hat and Aztec print dress shirt, staring at the sky, unmoving. I'm not sure how many people saw me, but I'm sure they all got a good chuckle.
I need to remind myself of this far too often as well. So know that I am also preaching to myself, friends: Develop an intentional practice of finding time to drink in creation's gift.
The majority of us spend so much time rushing through a day, checking off the items in hopes of winning some mythical prize for being so efficient, while the natural world just goes about its business, oblivious to the things that twist our knickers.
I know, I know. Just call me "pot," as my preachiness on this particular topic maybe doesn't seem very genuine. But I assure you, it is. I am battling to be more present in my days, acknowledging the people around me, and allowing the beauty of the natural world around me sweep me off my feet once in a while.
So, the next time someone catches you standing in a parking lot staring up the clouds, just nod and tell 'em that a crazy pastor told you it was OK. Amen.
Devlyn Brooks is the CEO of Churches United in Moorhead, Minn., and an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America serving Faith Lutheran Church in Wolverton, Minn. He blogs about faith at findingfaithin.com, and can be reached at devlynbrooks@gmail.com.