May 30th

“For all the gods of the nations are idols,
   but the Lord made the heavens." Psalm 96:5

those gods we idolize –
power, wealth, comfort –
they are so glamorous,
as brilliant as a new phone
but as empty as a wind blown bag.
yet, we run after them,
our altars built from calendars,
our sacrifice of family for fame,
bowing down to the great Get More.
yet, as the ancients remind us,
God made all that is around us.
All of it.
not with smoke and mirrors
not using CGI universes
or animals from AI’s imagination.
just waves lapping on beaches,
tiny birds whose wings flap
50 to 80 times a minute,
cats whose purrs still stump scientists.
it’s not a gimmick on God’s part,
just wonder,
holy wonder.
so, toss aside those other gods
and just look up
and see what the clouds
remind you of today.

© 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman