Wide, Wide as the Ocean

“Am I a God nearby, says the Lord, and not a God far off? Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them? says the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? says the Lord.” (Jeremiah 23:23-24)

I love to go to the ocean where I often collect shells or shiny rocks. The ocean is huge, filled with all kinds of things which the waves wash up sometimes from thousands of miles away. As I walk along the edge, the waves wash up over my feet. But just think! That same ocean is also washing up waves on the shores and onto people clear on the other side—thousands of miles away!

In fact, the Pacific Ocean is over 12,000 miles wide and 9600 miles from north to south! SO, people in China or Chile, or New Zealand, or Philippines all have their toes in the ocean at the same time as you and me! It is all part of God’s creation—the ocean, whales and sharks, fish and plants in the water, and the people in each of those other far-away lands.

No wonder God loves God’s entire creation. Therefore, God’s love and concern stretch out everywhere including to those we can’t see, who speak another language, or look different than you and me.

The next time we go to the ocean, remember those on the other side or way down south playing in the sand and walking in the waves of the same ocean! They too are God’s creation—made in God’s image and loved in the same way.

Song: “Wide, Wide as the Ocean”

Prayer: Thank you for your ocean and sand, and all your creatures. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for opening my eyes to see that you love all people, near and far away. Forgive me when I think I’m your favorite or feel as though I am better than others. Amen.