The Changing of the Guards

October 7, 2015 | by: Maureen Maniquis | 1 Comments

Posted in: Gospel Living

I awoke before the sun this morning. I could see the brightness of the moon still filling the sky; this big ball of light shining so boldly, confidently. I poured myself a cup of sensory-awakening goodness and went out back to sit and stare up at this riveting white ball hanging there so very big. It was that time of day when the black sky has turned to more of a gray as the sun starts to work its way along the circle of the earth. It’s not yet arrived but its glorious brightness begins to radiate around the circle enough to open our vision. And yet, there hangs this big white ball of beauty that is not quite ready to leave. It’s as though it knows its job is not yet done for the day, just a little bit longer. I sat and stared up at this gift of heavenly light mesmerized by the simplicity of its beauty.

A frog began to croak a sound that seemed to reverberate through the trees. And suddenly his homies were breaking out in a kind of Latin tempo that drew my whole body into the rhythm of its joy. I caught myself and started laughing out loud. It really struck me at that moment just how much beauty there is in this life.

It’s funny how we don’t feel the spin of the earth under our feet as the night turns into the day. But the moon began to dip to the west as its brightness began to wane and these wispy pink bands of angel hair began to emerge above me. The pale gray rolled into a rich blue bed on which these clouds could dance as the sun rose up like a painted warrior ready to do its service. It was a changing of the guards, one heavenly light giving way to the other, beauty upon beauty.

This morning was a gift. It was a gift to be reminded of the goodness of the Father of heavenly lights. All of this beauty, in this amazing thing we call life, spoken into being by him. These heavenly lights, these guardians of night and day, are gifts for our well-being. They light our steps as we walk on this earth. They warm us; they encourage us and inspire us to look beyond them to the One who calls them to attention every day. They know what they have been called forth to do and they do it boldly and faithfully day after day.

It got me thinking about how we are all called forth to do something in this life. That can look as different for each of us as our fingerprint; each of us so uniquely peculiar in our own call to beauty. It begs the questions, “Are we bringing forth the beauty that we’re called to bring?” “Are we hearing the call to attention when it comes forth?” “Are we doing what we’re called to do boldly and faithfully day after day?” “Do we even know what we are called forth to do?” Do we look beyond the heavenly lights to the One who calls us forth and ask, “How can I bring beauty into this life you have given?”

We are all guardians of sorts, not just over this globe but over each other. We’re not only to tend to the health and well-being of this earth but also to the very bodies and souls of those who walk upon it. You have a purpose under heaven and it matters if you fulfill it. That purpose may seem to be in flux from time to time and, much like the heavenly lights, your guardianship may change in intensity and color but your purpose and call is sure and indisputable.

Go forth!

"Then God said, 'Let lights appear in the sky to separate the day from the night. Let them be signs to mark the seasons, days, and years. Let these lights in the sky shine down on the earth.' And that is what happened. God made two great lights―the larger one to govern the day, and the smaller one to govern the night... and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. And evening passed and morning came…” Genesis 1:14-16, 18-19 NLT

“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10 NLT

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Maureen Maniquis moved to Florida 10 years ago from Bern, Switzerland where she and her husband were living for 6 years while working at the American Embassy. While there, they helped plant an English speaking church in the heart of the city that still thrives today to meet the needs of expats who desire to be a part of a community of fellow believers. Maureen has been a part of the Restoration Church Core Team since its plant in 2010 and currently serves on the Hospitality Team and Prayer Team and will be a regular contributor to our blogs. She has published a book of her memoirs and is a passionate writer on Gospel living and pointing people to the heart of Jesus. maureenmaniquis-blog.com

1 COMMENTS

Janet White says

Oct 8, 2015

Beautifully written and very inspirational. A wonderful reminder of the beauty all around us. What a gift from God!

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