The intricacies of the universe remind us we don’t know everything. Proverbs 30 is a collection of observations driven toward a simple conclusion. Insight regarding human nature (v16), hidden creation (v18-19), relationships (v21-23), focus (v24-28), and behavior (v29-31) reveal that wisdom is often discovered through observation.
Are you perplexed when you see a person walking on a beautiful day with their eyes fixed on their phone. How much do you think that person will miss? It’s as if our phones have taken the place of creations wonder and ability to capture and amaze our senses. The suns reflection off of a city fountain, following as if to say, “I’m with you”, two people walking hand in hand reminding you that you need to show her you love her more, birds in flight as they flow on the breeze moving between buildings turning the invisible into something practical that carries them to safety or the homeless man who can encounter hope through a shared lunch and simple conversation.
I don’t know if photography encouraged me to observe more or my observations led me to capture meaningful moments with photography. Either way, being fully engaged when in creation is one way I recognize the magnificence of God’s design and the vastness of His love. What motivated God to wire us with the senses of sight, hearing, taste, touch, and smell? What inspired God to design such a diversity of colors, sounds, tastes, aromas and textures within creation? Perhaps to reveal how much He loves us and wants us to engage with Him in the mysteries of His design. Being a more thorough observer helps me to recognize God in the minutia of detail, the normalcy of everyday (sunrise, sunset) and the subtle divine intersection of relationships. The Bible tells me that God is always with me and that I am not alone, but observation is how I know. I know I am called to walk by faith and not by sight, but my faith is often fueled by the creative voice of Jesus I experience in His creation (Genesis 1-3; Proverbs 8; Colossians 1:15-20; John 1).
The message of Proverbs 30: wisdom is often discovered through observation.