I was reading Job the other day. Towards the end of Elihu’s fourth speech he challenges Job to “Stop and consider God’s wonders” (Job 37:14). I began to think, what exactly are “God’s wonders” in my life right now? Maybe I’m being sentimental because I have less than 50 days left on the race, but lately “God’s wonders” have been presenting themselves to me in the smallest of ways.
It is easy to see God in the healings, miracles, and blatant answers to prayers. And I do see him there. But the longer I am on the race, I see him more vastly and vibrantly than ever before. Some of my biggest “stop and consider God’s wonders” moments have come in the minute and unobserved.
Little moments I am thankful for this month:. Singing “Jesus loves me sweet and wonderful” with my 3rd grade students. Actually saying a few phrases in Spanish correctly. Sitting on the porch when the power is out (which happens often) to watch the lightning storm. Fireflies. An unimpaired view of the stars. Still having the “holy crap I’m on the World Race” moments in month 10. Only having a little over a month until I get to see my loved ones. Rain every day, when rain has been scarce for most of the 10 months. Emails from home. When teammates share their coveted snacks. Quiet moments with God in the morning. Bright flowers everywhere. Morning mountain mist. Having a teammate practice worship songs on the guitar in the bed next to me. Fresh, clean, machine dried laundry for the first time on the Race.
Most of these moments may seem silly, unimportant, and unrelated to God, but I disagree. It is these small moments that allow me to see God’s goodness constantly. He is not in the wind and fire, but in the gentle whisper. A gentle whisper of his love and provision.
It doesn’t take much to make a month 10 racer happy. Our standards of a quantifiable joy have significantly lowered. Hence, a deeper appreciation for the small things.
I hope I never lose this appreciation. I hope when I return to a country that has anything you want, anytime you want, that I remember these sweet, precious, little moments on the race. I hope I remember the days when a roof over my head was a luxury, $5 a day for food seemed like winning the jackpot, and having more than 5 shirts to choose from was excessive.
I hope today you can stop and consider God’s wonders. How do you see him working in your life?
