Whispers of Glory

by Jennifer Morgan

Have you ever had one of those days when you really needed just a little whisper from God to remind you that you are on the right path, that you are His beloved, and that He is truly with you?  I have!  Each new day brings events and challenges that demand our time and attention and can seem to stretch us to the end of our capacity.  It is those days that I find myself searching for just a glimpse of God’s Glory to minister to my heart and revive my spirit and energy.

I found that I don’t have to look very far.  

Not long ago I re-read the prophet Isaiah’s description of his vision of the throne room of God in chapter six.  He described the seraphim above the throne:  “And one called to another and said: ‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!’” (6:3 ESV)  As I soaked in this imagery I began to think, I wonder what the Glory of God looks like?  I turned to another description written by John in the fourth chapter of Revelation.   The scene he describes is breathtaking: a throne surrounded by a rainbow that has the appearance of an emerald.  Lightning and thunder flashes around the throne, and the One seated on the throne has the appearance of precious gems, jasper and carnelian. Wow.  That certainly is a magnificent description of Glory! 

But alas, my earthly eyes have never seen what Isaiah and John describe.  Or have they? 

Inspired by Psalm 108:5, “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!  Let your glory be over all the earth!”  I began to pray for God’s help in providing glimpses of His Glory in my everyday life.  And not surprisingly, my eyes began to open in a new way to the world around me. 

My heart awakened to God’s Glory in the discovery of newly hatched baby birds in a nest tucked away in my outdoor wreath; in a breathtaking sunset- huge streaks of fiery orange, pink and red that looked as if they had been fingerpainted across the sky with a giant hand; in the eyes of a child as he looked up at me and whispered “I love you”; in the drops of dew on my roses that glistened like diamonds in the early morning sunlight; the simple joy of holding hands with my husband; the warm hug of a friend; the snuggle of a beloved pet.

Then one morning, God sent me a precious gift.  As I sat in the garden with my morning coffee, a glint of bright orange caught my eye in the back of the acre deep yard.  I set my cup down and walked out to investigate.  As I approached one of the large boulders set on the lawn, I was amazed to discover a single, perfect orange hibiscus blossom laying on top of the boulder, as if it had been carefully placed there.  I picked up the blossom and suddenly felt raindrops falling on me.  Startled, I look up at the sky, and sure enough, as I looked straight up into the cloudless blue sky, I saw tiny raindrops falling toward me, lightly covering my face with sprinkles.  I laughed out loud with joy as I stood there in the “rain” falling from heaven with the flower blossom in my hand, knowing that in that moment, I was experiencing the overwhelming, infinitely loving, Glory of the One who sits on the magnificent throne of heaven.

I have come to know that Glory in my daily life is manifested in the moments I experience that move my heart and whisper to my spirit, “I am here, all around you.  Look for Me in all that you find beautiful to you.”  

Isaiah promises that one day “the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken. (40:5)”  Until that glorious day, I will keep my eyes and heart open to the precious beauty found in the moments of my everyday life.  I wish you a wonderful, glory-filled week!  - Jenn

Thanks Jenn for your reflection on recognizing God's beauty in everyday life!  We'd love to hear from other Abingdon Women and welcome your reflections.  Find out how you can guest post here.  You can connect with Jenn at her blog.