Exploring God’s Mysteries (A Peaceful Coexistence)

I’ve had some time to think on the mysteries of God—for there are many. He is mysterious, and all creation reveals this. I imagine it would take an eternity to perceive all he has for us to understand or appreciate. I like to think this is part of our inheritance, an eternity to explore all the wonders he has created.
 
On earth, there are uncountable natural things that can make us perplexed, amused, confused, or delighted. For some reason, I was thinking about Isaiah 11, the coming of the Messiah, a peaceful kingdom wherein a wolf will live with a lamb, or a child play over a hole of a cobra without harm. A peaceful coexistence. What once Adam was given in the Terrestrial Garden before his fall is promised to be restored (Romans 8:17-21). As believers in Yeshua are resurrected, there is awaiting restoration and mansions prepared in the Father’s house for his bride (John 14:2). And that a new heaven and a new earth will be for those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life (Revelation 21).

Some like to believe that they’ll be living in actual opulent mansions on streets of gold, and maybe this is so. For me, though, in a material sense, this has no appeal. Spiritually and metaphorically speaking, streets of gold, I presume, reflect the glory of God, his splendor and holy presence. My childlike idea of a “mansion” is a magnificently connected treehouse where I sway as the wind of the Spirit sways. Where the streets of gold are forest paths strewn and softened with golden leaves, upon where I can walk barefoot alongside my savior, brother, and friend.

 

Whether we dwell in metaphors or not, nothing can refute the fact that God created some unusual things. It would take a lifetime and more to perceive it all. I want to see what God has to reveal, and I often don’t have to look very hard or long for my heart to be delighted by him. I’m telling myself more often these days that I don’t even have to understand. I just want to dwell in his presence, and whatever he wants to show me, I’ll hug it to my heart.

 

I’d been afflicted with an episode of vertigo. This happens every once in a great while, when one too many discordant things upsets my applecart. I tend to have to deal with difficult people and situations, I’m sensitive, and sometimes the burden gets too heavy. It’s my body’s way of telling me I have to stop everything before I can shift gears. And the Lord allows it, because there’s nothing I can do when everything’s whirling, my stomach’s churning, but to still my spirit and heart. I can’t physically do or express anything under such a spell. But I can listen. I’m like a captive audience. And God speaks. He spoke to me about removing my focus on the discordant elements and instead exploring his mysteries. Which is why I reflected on Isaiah 11. There is nothing more mysterious to me than peaceful coexistence.

 

And just as I was pondering peaceful coexistence, I ventured to walk out (unsteadily, as I don’t have sea legs, mind you)—just me and this vertigo—to the porch one night, and I sat back as I could to listen to sounds of the forest in the dark. I hadn’t been able to go out for my routine nature walks for a few days, but I didn’t have to for the Lord to show me something. God brought a mystery to me when a fellowship of barred owls perched around the porch, conversing as if they weren’t bothered that I was there. They perched so close, it was as if I was included in their conversation. A parliament of owls and me. A peaceful coexistence. Like the wolf and the lamb. The child over the cobra’s den.

 

The fellowship of owls lasted about 20 or 30 minutes before they flew off. But I had the faculty to record a clip of their elusive yet inclusive behavior that night, which I’ll post below. I apologize for the shoddy quality of the recording, but, for the sake of exploration or curiosity, I think you’ll get the gist. God’s ways are incredibly cool. Even when we're down, he does incredible things. We believers have so much to look forward to! He is faithful.


“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 

Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.” (Psalm 19:1-2)




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