“The desert will rejoice and flowers bloom in the wastelands.” (Is. 35:1) I haven’t observed a “super bloom” in Death Valley, but I’ve seen the photos of a desert floor covered in wildflowers. It occurs when the clouds deliver rain beyond desert expectations.
The scripture references for joy, both speak of opposites-deaf hearing, lame walking and blind seeing. They both have a desert setting which can seem stark, dry, brown and lacking of life and yet both Isaiah and John the Baptist experienced the desert with profound inspiration.
I’ve spent time in the desert and I know the extreme opposites. The dull hue becomes a palate of color with the sun’s angled light, the intense sun turns to dark and billions of stars appear, the heat turns to cold as the sun sets. It’s easy to overlook the setting of scripture and the references to the natural world, but I think they’re intentional. They are, after all, God’s creation and His speaking to us. I am absorbed with the world filled with sky, water, mountains, trees, plants, birds and animals. This all brings me joy, but how?
I look closely, “everyone will see the Lord’s splendor, see his greatness and power” (Is. 35:2). As we are intentional about prayer and Bible study, look outside, BE outside and ponder about the colors of the flowers, the variety of greens in leaves and grasses, listen to bird song and think about the intensity of the song, the notes that are being released for their joy, but also for ours.
Why is water white when it flows off a rock and makes a waterfall? How many insects live on tree branches and under piles of leaves? So many amazing ways to think about the creative joy of the natural world.
It’s the joy of stars and moon at night that let me know that God is real and is always with me. It’s the whimsical brown creeper that “creeps” up tree trunks after he has returned to spend time in Arkansas for the winter and I’m stunned by this little bird’s flight to spend time with me after breeding north of us.
“The JOY is in WONDER” as Drew Lanham says. How are we so gifted to see the detail of God’s love through life ALL around us? “I stand amazed in the Presence” frequently comes to my heart when I’m in His natural presence.
This reflection was written by Janet Nye.