A friend of mine in Minnesota posted a beautiful photo last night of the harvest moon reflecting on one the 10,000 lakes the state is known for. It was breathtaking. A kiss from heaven and a reminder of the changing seasons of life.  

It prompted memories of some of the other spiritual lessons I had learned during my ministry trips to Minnesota. It brought a smile to my face and reminded me of the scripture in Psalms 19:1-4 NLT, “The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship.

Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known.They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard.Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world.” 

Another friend in Alabama mentioned the early morning harvest moon and it’s wonder.  Although the approaching hurricane may obscure it’s view for a few days, it can never dethrone the majesty of God declared by His creation.   

The storms of life may hide His glory for a season but they can never destroy who He is and His message of love to mankind. He’s shouting “I love you and I made this beautiful world for you to enjoy! Trust me!”

According to National Geographic News, “In the Northern Hemisphere, the harvest moon is the closest full moon to the fall equinox, usually on or around September 22. That means the harvest moon usually occurs in September. But this year the September full moon appeared on the 6, separating it from the fall equinox by 16 days. The October 5 full moon arrived only 13 days after the fall equinox, making it a closer pairing.”

When we put down our cell phones, turn off the television and listen to the hum of creation, the song that’s being sung is always a declaration of God’s glory and love. Don’t miss His song over you!

Another lesson I learned from my trips to Minnesota involved the great Mississippi River.  Growing up in the South, I had always assumed the Mississippi River originated below the Mason-Dixon Line. I had flown over the massive river and all its tributaries many times heading westward. I always booked a window seat on the airline and I anxiously waited for the first sighting of the mighty Mississippi.  

My amazement was always without words. On a ground level trip to New Orleans, I had stood inches from the retaining wall that held back the 200 feet deep and 11-mile-wide Mississippi River. Little did I know that one day I would visit the natural spring in Minnesota that births the enormous river that flows 2,300 miles draining 31 U.S. states and two Canadian provinces.

USA Today shares this report about the origin of the Mississippi at Lake Itasca, Minnesota: “Kneel at the water’s edge and you can hear it; a whispery gurgle as the water moves across the rocks that delineate the river from the lake. A downstream riffle is barely discernible, but it is clearly the beginning point. “ 

Having knelt at the headwaters of the Mississippi, less than three feet deep, I can see how God takes our trickle of faith and turns it into a mighty force for the kingdom of God. His creation declares the baby steps of faith have the potential to become a deep current watering, feeding and providing for the multitude of people in its path. His creation declares His glory.

It’s easy to fill our hearts and minds with fear and anxiety especially if you watch television or use internet services for news. Nothing good is usually at the top of the reporting cycle. But if we look and listen to the ever-unfolding revelation of God in creation then we can have peace and rest knowing that God is greater than any problem sinful man is able to conjure up. His order and design is for His children to have an abundant life. Believe!

His promise and perspective is proclaimed by Jesus in Matthew 6: 25-33 NLT, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life — whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

“And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing,yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

“So, don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs.Seek the Kingdom of Godabove all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”