God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways: Job 37:5

“God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding. He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’ and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’” Job 37:5-6

This theme speaks strongly to me, I am aware and marvel at what I believe is God’s signature, His creative genius. Got up today to go running, right off the bat took note of the bright sunshine. Usually I run when it is dark. I saw the leaves in their brilliant color. I felt fall warmth start to come through my layers, so 2 of 3 shirts were removed while I moved on. Other people in the park, said hi to everyone I passed. Such a nice guy I am (yeah, right). Birds everywhere, showing off their own brilliant colors. Evidence of design. Even on the downside, I am aware of that evidence. A 48 year old body that runs slower. Legs that have seen four operations and aching a bit. Eyes, injured a few years back, that see split images. Study of that design, in an effort to understand why they don’t work quite right, has shown me amazing complexity and balance.

A sobering end to my run, as I saw my neighbor Nathan getting out of his truck. The ultimate North Carolina good old boy, a guy who was born and bred on a farm. Works his tail off, can fix anything. I have to hire people to do things on my house that he just does himself. Replaces the concrete in his driveway, fixes his tractor and truck, whatever. He can do it. Nathan has cancer, is going through chemo. Told me he was not feeling to well, but will be back at work on Monday. That’s the kind of guy he is. Just won’t let it knock him down, will try to push through. And, one other thing about Nathan, he happens to believe the Bible as I do. I have lived beside him for 13 years now. If there were such a thing as a Christian devoid of hypocrisy, he would be it. In that way, he has shown me an example of how I should be. In this instance, he is, as always, fully reliant on God.

In our ailing and aging bodies we see a compromised aspect of the prospective creation I discuss today. Which is explained in Genesis Chapter 3, and ultimately ends, prophetically, in complete restoration. What is broke will be fixed.

And yes, it is “beyond our understanding”. What is not beyond our ability to understand: hope. Hope that a loving God is there, who has comforted us with the expectation of a bright future.

Either way, someday Nathan will not be sick; my legs won’t hurt and I will see with new eyes. No worries.