Scripture reading: Psalm 19:1–6

Do it Again!

The heavens declare the glory of God. (Psalm 19:1)

Question: Because something happens repeatedly, does that make it inconsequential? When something recurs over and over, does that give us permission to regard it as unimportant? If one giraffe had a seven-foot neck, everyone would marvel with amazement. But because all giraffes have this remarkable feature, we become bored by the monotony and blind to the wonder of this amazing animal.

October is here. During the next few weeks God is going to put on a lavish dis- play of delicate colors and intoxicating aromas the likes of which haven’t been seen since . . . well, last October. A few will pause and marvel at the breathtaking beauty and praise God for what he has done. But others will yawn and go about their routines, oblivious to the multi-sensory symphony of grace all around them. Summer’s over. Time to put away the patio furniture.

In his spiritual classic Orthodoxy, G. K. Chesterton talks about the way children love repetition. Whether a song, a game, or an activity, he notices that children delight in doing the same thing again and again.

Because children have abounding vitality, because they are in spirit fierce and free, therefore they want things repeated and unchanged. They always say, “Do it again”; and the grown-up person does it again until he is nearly dead. For grown-up people are not strong enough to exult in monotony. But perhaps God is strong enough to exult in monotony. It is possible that God says every morning, “Do it again” to the sun; and every evening, “Do it again” to the moon. It may not be automatic necessity that makes all daisies alike; it may be that God makes every daisy separately, but has never got tired of making them. It may be that He has the eternal appetite of infancy; for we have sinned and grown old, and our Father is younger than we. The repetition in Nature may not be a mere recurrence; it may be a theatrical encore. (“The Ethics of Elfland”).

Let me make a suggestion. Take a walk in the woods this month and experience the wonder of what God is doing again for the umpteenth time. To get the full benefit, you need to become like a child again (Matthew 18:3). Fall is not just a season to put away the patio furniture. It is an invitation to “exult in the monotony” of this repetitive moment of splendiferous majesty.

Earth’s crammed with heaven, and every common bush afire with God;
But only he who sees, takes off his shoes—the rest sit round it and pluck blackberries.
—Elizabeth Barrett Browning

Field and forest, vale and mountain, flowery meadow, flashing sea, changing bird and flowing fountain, call us to rejoice in thee.
—Henry Van Dyke

point to ponder • Only children really know how to exult in the joy of repetition.

prayer focus • Thankfulness for God’s revelation of himself in nature.