Standing in my warm kitchen, I was thankful for a sunny day. The sun streamed through our windows, creating rectangular patches of light on the floor. The truth about that light landed in my mind like a benediction: Those patches of light that warmed and cheered me had traveled 93 million miles to reach my kitchen floor.
God has bent over backwards to make this planet a place of beauty and comfort. Although we mourn over outrageous headlines and lament the rampant evidence of desecration in our culture, we walk around every day in the presence of irrefutable evidence that we are mightily loved by the Creator of the universe.
This fact is like an alchemist’s potion that changes the common and ordinary substance of life into a treasure. The lavish graciousness of Earth’s “Cosmic Welcome Mat,”1 a planet perfectly calibrated for us to inhabit, splashes over onto everything we see and everything we do.
Imagine what would happen in my heart if I began to perform every task as an offering to the God who sends sunshine and who designed oak trees that stand tall for decades and never tire. Humble tasks would be transformed into something that truly matters. So, whether I’m changing one of my grandsons’ diapers or working on my teaching notes for a women’s event, I’m making an offering to God. (And he sees no difference between the two tasks…☺️)
The English poet, George Herbert, says this beautifully:
Teach me, my God and King,
In all things thee to see,
And what I do in any thing,
To do it as for thee.2
God has bent over backwards to make this planet a place of beauty and comfort. The lavish graciousness of Earth’s “Cosmic Welcome Mat,” a planet perfectly calibrated for us to inhabit, splashes over onto everything we see and do.
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“In All Things Thee to See”
I have been served in my appreciation of George Herbert’s beautiful poetry by the work of Stephen Witmer. He stumbled upon the poems after reading Herbert’s rural ministry handbook (The Country Parson), and with the heart of a pastor, he has selected forty of the most theologically rich to introduce readers to their fruitfulness.
Each poem included in In All Things Thee to See is annotated with explanations of archaic terms and is followed by brief comments on the content, the imagery, and the biblical allusions that overflow in Herbert’s writing. Then, readers are “shepherded by the poem” with a section of application in which Witmer draws out life lessons for shaping and sanctifying the believer.
The author’s enthusiasm for George Herbert’s work never flags and is quite contagious: “Imagine discovering in adulthood delicious foods you’ve never tasted before. That’s how encountering Herbert’s vibrant, vital language was for me. My life got a bit richer, my capacity for enjoyment grew a little bit bigger.”
I quoted from “The Elixir” above because it’s my favorite of the forty, but every poem is full of Herbert’s imagery and skillful use of language as tools that drive home spiritual truth. Witmer exhorts us to read Herbert for pleasure, for pastoral guidance, and for the sake of the poetry itself. This slim and beautiful volume serves as a guide for the exploring as well as for the enjoying!
In his devotional guide to George Herbert’s poetry, @stephenwitmer1 ‘s enthusiasm for George Herbert’s work never flags and is quite contagious. @crossway
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Holding You in the Light,
Now on the Bible App!
Grief comes to everyone sooner or later, and whether it’s the death of a loved one or the loss of some cherished aspect of our life or identity, God’s Word is crucial for grieving well. Past hurts have a habit of snagging our hearts in unexpected moments, but God provides abundant grace to help the believer move through grief without getting stuck and without wasting the opportunity to walk more closely with the Lord who lightens our darkness.
As you know, I’m committed to the truth that women can become confident followers of God and students of his Word, and it’s my goal to help you along that path. At Living Our Days, I provide biblical content and resources to encourage biblical literacy and faithful living, and now I’m sharing devotional content on the YouVersion app. Visit my profile page to get free access to all the reading plans!
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Disclosure: I am an Amazon Associate, which means that whenever you purchase a book I’ve shared here through the link I provide, I’ll receive a very small commission. It doesn’t cost you more, and I only share books here that I can wholeheartedly recommend.
Many thanks to Crossway for providing a copy of this book to facilitate my review, which is, of course, offered freely and with honesty.
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