The Privileged Life: When God Gives You a “Wow” Moment
“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.” (Psalm 19:1 NKJV)
Ever feel as if your world is spinning out of control?
Hurricane Helene stormed through our region, and with so many others in the aftermath, my family and I have been helping relief efforts. The nail-biting election is nearly upon us. We’re packing up our daughter’s home as she leaves for a new job several states away…sniff. Let’s just say I’m being pulled a lot of different directions.
But last night, something new and dazzling caught my attention and made me stop in my tracks. A comet.
The Tsuchinshan-ATLAS comet is a “newcomer” to the astronomy world, first appearing on the scene last year when it was discovered at observatories in China and South Africa. It became visible to the naked eye a few weeks ago in September, although you still need a cellphone camera or binoculars to find it.*
I heard about this unusual object over the weekend and stood outside last evening to wait for it…the first comet I’ve ever seen. It’s a spectacular sight. A “God moment.” A call to worship.
The word “Wow” doesn’t show up in Scripture, but I’m sure it’s fitting for the same emotions of awe and wonder I’ve found in the Psalms. When King David was still a shepherd youth, he had plenty of opportunity to observe celestial phenomena in the night skies while guarding his sheep. I’ll bet he said something equivalent to “Wow” when he said, “When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him?” (Psalm 8:3-4 NKJV)
David was awestruck watching stars shoot across the heavens (especially without any light pollution) and following the moon through its phases. Every evening he had a front-row seat as God rolled out His velvety blanket of sparkling jewelry, much like what I saw last night. Wow.
It’s as if God is saying, “Hey! Look up! See what new and beautiful things I am doing right over your head.” He demands that we take our eyes off our downward focus and pay attention to Him, His glory, His power.
God’s comet demonstration was a powerful lesson for me—that He who holds the entire universe and all its components in His hands is quite capable of taking care of our problems on tiny planet Earth. He is sovereign over everything, including a massive comet with an enormous tail sweeping across the sky. And while our world may be twirling, it is not spinning out of His control.
Have you had a “God moment” lately? If not, watch the weather reports and take advantage of a clear forecast this month. Go find a spot away from city lights to gaze up at the light show God has provided for you. Capture the memory in your heart as you spend time in worship and say, “Wow, God! You are amazing!”
It will put all your problems in perspective—and calm your soul at the same time.
Holy Creator God, I am astonished by Your awesome power in making our universe…and in making all things new in my heart and soul. Thank You for blessing me with a beautiful home on this planet. Please help me worship You in spirit and truth, in awe and wonder at all You have provided. Let me fall upon my knees before You, yield all of my worries to Your control, and rise up to glorify You in my daily life. Show me Your great and almighty presence as I shout “hallelujah” and “wow” to You in praise! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Nancy C. Williams is a Christian wife/mom with a writing career spanning more than 40 years in business and journalism. Williams is the author of the novel To Love a Falcon and the devotional book A Crocus in the Desert: Devotions, Stories, and Prayers for Women Experiencing Infertility. Her weekly blogs are featured on Crossmap.com and AriseDaily. To follow Nancy’s posts and news, go to her home page at NancyCWilliams.com and subscribe at the bottom.
© Copyright 2024 Nancy C. Williams (text and photography). Unless otherwise noted, Scripture verses are taken from the New King James Version®, Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. #atlascomet #venus #Godmoment #aweandwonder #nightsky #octobersky #wow
