In this world, we always have reasons to be awestruck (Genesis 1:31). And we always have reasons to be outraged (Genesis 6:5).
It isn’t a simple either/or but a complex both/and. This world needs from us, moment by moment, the wisdom of a sensitive both/and. — Ray Ortlund (@rayortlund) September 3, 2021

It doesn’t take much time online to find a myriad of reasons to be outraged. Everyone’s “side” seems to be under attack by someone. And truthfully, regardless of where the attack comes from, the root is and always will be sin. “The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” Genesis 6:5 And before you hit me with the “context” trump card (that I wholly endorse, by the way), here are a few more reminders that the heart is deceitful above all. In fact …

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” Jeremiah 17:9 “They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.” Psalm 14:3 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” Romans 3:23

Sadly, it’s easy for me to be outraged when I look at the world too. It’s easy to see the sin and the brokenness. That part of Ray Ortlund’s tweet resonates with me. It was the other part that stopped me in my tracks. We always have reasons to be awestruck. When’s the last time you were awestruck by what God has done? When have you stopped focusing on the brokenness and instead focused on the beauty? A sunset, the bloom of a flower, a child’s laugh. All created by God for God. And we get to enjoy them all! The Bible has a lot to say about worshiping God in creation too. Here are a few reminders of what we’ve been given.

“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.” Revelation 4:11 “You are the LORD, you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them; and you preserve all of them; and the host of heaven worships you.” Nehemiah 9:6 “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” Psalm 19:1 “For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.” Romans 1:20

By Rob Trahan