Last night I watched a parade and program to celebrate Singapore’s 47th birthday. Everyone was there; Singapore’s present and two former prime ministers, the president, cabinet, and representatives from every part of Singapore’s society. The initial start was a bit slow. The stage was filled with school kids dancing. On the surface it looked like fun – the movement and colors coming together in a wonderfully innocent kind of way. As the cameras zoomed in on the faces, there were as many kids that seemed bored and wanting to be anywhere but here as there were ones lost in the moment.
As the parade, speeches, singing, dancing, and military demonstrations went on, the television cameras randomly showed the faces of those present. Among the more than 47,000 in the main area, every face seemed to have a smile. Each was excited, engaged, and enthused! No matter what one’s nationality is, it was impressive and moving.
This morning the hazy sunrise bathes a soft landscape filled with a mix of green and modern buildings. Things seem very different than they did last night. There are no screaming jets or booming fireworks. The intensity has been replaced with a gentle beginning to a new day.
In the contrast, I catch myself thinking about how Divinity shows her and himself in your life and mine. It is a bit like national day parades and today’s dawn. Yes, God occasionally put on a power exhibit. Miracles happen and dramatic events unfold. One might surmise that everyone would be moved and impressed. Sometimes yes, most times no. Divinity’s most frequent exhibits come in quiet natural ways. One can see it in the lives of children and random acts of kindness. One finds it in the quiet dawns and in the surreal center of a storm. The show is here, even when we fail to notice. David left us with a reminder; “God’s glory is on tour in the skies, God-craft on exhibit across the horizon.” (Psalm 19.1)
Today is an opportunity to see what is here. There is more than I realize.
