And then there’s the sea, wide and deep, with its countless creatures—living things both small and large. – Psalm 104:25
We’re a culture celebrating big. Skyscrapers, mountains, galaxies.
It’s important to note that without the small, there is no big.
For example, each of us is made up of 50 trillion cells. Each of those cells seems to have a life and mind of its own. They cluster together and have a wisdom to protect us, fight off germs, heal our bodies, and allow us to live.
Who created such things? Who put such wisdom in them?
A helpful spiritual exercise is taking time to be in awe of the small. One thing I like to do is look at songbirds and spiders. They’re small, and they have tiny brains compared to ours, but how amazing it is that those tiny brains can sing songs and spin webs!
Here are some verses you can add to the tune of the hymn, “For the Beauty of the Earth.” As you read them, or sing them, remember you’re doing so with some of the brilliant 50 trillion cells that make up who you are!
For thy works we cannot see,
Things in earth, in sky, in sea:
Though our eyes, so weak may be,
Yet our hearts claim sight in thee.
Lord of all, to thee we raise:
This our hymn of grateful praise.
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For in us the smallest cell,
That which keeps us strong and well–
Formed through love, thy grace to tell,
Giving life invincible.
Lord of all, to thee we raise:
This our hymn of grateful praise.
*
O, Creator, hear this song.
We confess where we’ve been wrong,
Blind to wonders for so long.
In your works our joy belongs.
Lord of all, to thee we raise:
This our hymn of grateful praise.