Discovering Divine Beauty in Everyday Moments

 

Summary

In our time together, we explored the profound beauty and wonder that God has woven into the fabric of our world. Reflecting on Annie Dillard's "Pilgrim at Tinker Creek," we delved into the idea that life is filled with "pennies"—small, often overlooked moments of grace and beauty that God has scattered throughout our lives. Dillard's childhood habit of hiding pennies for others to find serves as a metaphor for the divine treasures that await our discovery if we only take the time to notice them.

We discussed the importance of cultivating a sense of wonder and attentiveness to God's creation. Whether it's the sight of a tree filled with birds or the intricate beauty of a single leaf, these moments remind us of God's ongoing work and presence in the world. They invite us to pause, breathe, and recognize that the same God who orchestrates the changing colors of the leaves is more than capable of handling the challenges we face.

In our busy lives, it's easy to miss these moments. We often find ourselves caught up in the mundane, our heads down, focused on the next task. Yet, as we lift our heads and open our eyes to the world around us, we can experience the grace and beauty that God has placed in our path. This practice of noticing is not just about seeing nature but also about truly seeing and listening to one another, recognizing the divine in our relationships and interactions.

We also touched on the role of the church in facilitating these moments of transcendence. Church gatherings should be spaces where we encounter God's presence, whether through prayer, music, or the beauty of community. It's essential to create moments where we can step out of our heads and into our hearts, experiencing the wonder of God's love and grace.

In closing, we prayed for the ability to notice and celebrate the beauty around us, to lift our heads and truly see the world and each other. May we treasure this one and only life, living with eyes wide open to the wonder of God's creation.

Key Takeaways:

1. The Wonder of Small Moments: Life is filled with small, often overlooked moments of grace and beauty, akin to "pennies" scattered by God. These moments invite us to pause and recognize the divine presence in our everyday lives. [02:53]

2. Cultivating Attentiveness: By lifting our heads and opening our eyes to the world around us, we can experience the grace and beauty that God has placed in our path. This practice helps us see beyond the mundane and appreciate the divine in creation. [03:29]

3. God's Presence in Creation: Observing nature can remind us of God's ongoing work and presence. The same God who orchestrates the changing colors of the leaves is capable of handling the challenges we face, offering us reassurance and peace. [05:30]

4. The Role of the Church: Church gatherings should facilitate moments of transcendence where we encounter God's presence. These moments can occur through prayer, music, or community, helping us step out of our heads and into our hearts. [08:23]

5. Living with Eyes Wide Open: We are encouraged to treasure this one and only life by truly seeing and listening to one another, recognizing the divine in our relationships and interactions. This attentiveness enriches our lives and deepens our connection with God. [10:16]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:22] - Introduction to Nancy Beach
- [00:46] - Passages to Wisdom
- [01:12] - Pilgrim at Tinker Creek
- [01:34] - Observing Nature
- [02:13] - The Wonder of Pennies
- [03:06] - Missing Moments
- [03:42] - Cultivating Wonder
- [04:21] - Pathway to God
- [04:56] - Finding Beauty
- [05:30] - God's Reassurance
- [06:18] - Daily Practices
- [07:07] - Breathing and Meditation
- [08:09] - Moments in Church
- [09:14] - Prayer for Awareness

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. Psalm 19:1 - "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands."
2. Matthew 6:26 - "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?"
3. Romans 1:20 - "For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse."

---

Observation Questions:

1. What does Annie Dillard's metaphor of "pennies" represent in our daily lives, according to the sermon? [02:13]
2. How does the sermon describe the role of nature in reminding us of God's presence and work? [05:30]
3. What are some examples given in the sermon of moments where people might miss the beauty and grace around them? [03:06]
4. How does the sermon suggest church gatherings should facilitate moments of transcendence? [08:23]

---

Interpretation Questions:

1. How might the metaphor of "pennies" challenge individuals to change their perspective on daily life and interactions? [02:53]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that observing nature can provide reassurance and peace in the face of life's challenges? [05:30]
3. How does the sermon propose that attentiveness to God's creation can deepen one's connection with God and others? [03:29]
4. What role does the sermon suggest the church should play in helping individuals experience God's presence and beauty? [08:23]

---

Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a recent moment when you were too focused on tasks to notice the beauty around you. How can you create space in your daily routine to be more attentive to these "pennies"? [03:06]
2. Think of a time when nature reminded you of God's presence. How can you incorporate more of these moments into your life to find peace and reassurance? [05:30]
3. Identify a relationship in your life where you might be missing the divine presence. What steps can you take to truly see and listen to that person this week? [10:16]
4. How can you contribute to creating moments of transcendence in your church community, whether through prayer, music, or other means? [08:23]
5. Consider a specific challenge you are facing. How can the practice of noticing God's creation help you gain perspective and trust in God's ability to handle it? [05:30]
6. What is one practical way you can lift your head and open your eyes to the world around you this week, as encouraged in the sermon? [03:29]
7. How can you encourage others in your small group or community to live with eyes wide open to the wonder of God's creation? [10:16]

Devotional

Day 1: Discovering Divine Pennies
Life is filled with small, often overlooked moments of grace and beauty, akin to "pennies" scattered by God. These moments invite us to pause and recognize the divine presence in our everyday lives. Just as Annie Dillard's childhood habit of hiding pennies for others to find serves as a metaphor for these divine treasures, we are encouraged to take the time to notice them. By doing so, we open ourselves to the profound beauty and wonder that God has woven into the fabric of our world. These "pennies" are not just found in nature but also in our interactions and relationships, reminding us of God's grace and love. [02:53]

Psalm 19:1-2 (ESV): "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge."

Reflection: Think of a recent moment that you initially overlooked but later realized was a small blessing. How can you train yourself to notice these "pennies" more often in your daily life?


Day 2: Cultivating a Heart of Wonder
By lifting our heads and opening our eyes to the world around us, we can experience the grace and beauty that God has placed in our path. This practice helps us see beyond the mundane and appreciate the divine in creation. It requires intentionality and a willingness to pause amidst our busy lives. As we cultivate a heart of wonder, we become more attuned to the subtle ways God speaks to us through His creation, inviting us to engage with the world with a renewed sense of awe and gratitude. [03:29]

Job 12:7-9 (ESV): "But ask the beasts, and they will teach you; the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you; or the bushes of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?"

Reflection: What is one aspect of creation that you often overlook? How can you make a conscious effort to appreciate it more fully this week?


Day 3: Trusting in God's Presence
Observing nature can remind us of God's ongoing work and presence. The same God who orchestrates the changing colors of the leaves is capable of handling the challenges we face, offering us reassurance and peace. By recognizing God's handiwork in creation, we are reminded of His sovereignty and faithfulness. This awareness can bring comfort and strength, especially during times of uncertainty, as we trust that God is actively involved in our lives and the world around us. [05:30]

Isaiah 40:26 (ESV): "Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name; by the greatness of his might, and because he is strong in power, not one is missing."

Reflection: What current challenge are you facing that you need to entrust to God? How does observing His creation help you find peace in His presence?


Day 4: Experiencing God in Community
Church gatherings should facilitate moments of transcendence where we encounter God's presence. These moments can occur through prayer, music, or community, helping us step out of our heads and into our hearts. The church plays a vital role in creating spaces where we can experience the wonder of God's love and grace together. By participating in these communal experiences, we are reminded of the importance of fellowship and the ways God speaks to us through others, enriching our spiritual journey. [08:23]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Reflection: How can you contribute to creating a space of transcendence in your church community? What specific action can you take this week to encourage someone in your congregation?


Day 5: Living with Eyes Wide Open
We are encouraged to treasure this one and only life by truly seeing and listening to one another, recognizing the divine in our relationships and interactions. This attentiveness enriches our lives and deepens our connection with God. By living with eyes wide open, we become more aware of the ways God is at work in and through us, inviting us to participate in His redemptive plan. This perspective transforms our daily interactions, allowing us to see the sacred in the ordinary and to love others more deeply. [10:16]

Colossians 3:12-14 (ESV): "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony."

Reflection: Who in your life do you need to see and listen to more intentionally? How can you make space for this person in your schedule this week to deepen your relationship?

Quotes


"our magnificent creator has strewn the earth with pennies but there are pennies everywhere but you have to have a certain poverty of soul or humility to pick up a penny and the same thing to notice you know what god has done to not miss it and she says go through life and look for the pennies" [00:02:37]

"he says that you know in life all moments are key moments and life itself is grace this moment that we're having as friends is so rich last night we took a walk and saw a spectacular sunset and i think of how many things in life i've missed because i was focused on the mundane and i hadn't lifted my head and looked" [00:03:17]

"probably my pathway to god is like you're nancy um very much creation yeah and there's there's a sense i have of god's presence when i notice what he has made that is at a level that it's it's so rich for me so living in chicago where creation is mostly under the curse for 10 months a year you gotta hunt" [00:04:19]

"i was walking and i was feeling a lot of stress and i noticed one of the leaves on the ground a maple leaf it was brilliant color several colors orange and yellow and i just studied the veins on that leaf and i just held it for a second and i had this sense of god saying i've been doing this since the beginning of time" [00:05:05]

"and it just makes you step back and right size whatever you're going through and say i know the god who did that who made the sunset last night who made you i know that guy and nothing i'm facing nothing you're facing that's too big for him yeah yeah and it's amazing how just in a moment like this one that's such a gift" [00:05:36]

"i do like to take walks um we have a little dog and lately um midday i kind of do the dog walk duty and it's only 15 or 20 minutes but it's in the middle of other work and so it's a good moment to just kind of notice and look up at the sky i think there's a reason in the psalms that often says lift up your heads" [00:06:21]

"you know part of it is breathing you know you've talked a lot about that but when you start to feel like you're not looking at moments you're not paying attention a lot of it is just going back inside your body yes yeah yes your shoulders get tense whatever it's just saying okay if i've taken any deep breaths lately" [00:07:01]

"you know we always used to ask ourselves was there any kind of moment in church today and i don't think it's all about you know checking off the list of what has to happen in a gathering it's just saying was there any time when that transcendent sense of god's presence was real for us either through a time of confession or prayer or music" [00:07:51]

"and then being together and and there can be moments just in that um but i i get sad when i go to church and sometimes it's been services that i helped create when i say no we were in our head the whole time i'm not really sure there was a moment yeah where we we felt god say here i am" [00:08:34]

"and god i just pray that we'll pay attention that will notice the pennies that you've scattered all throughout this earth that will celebrate the detail of what we see in the beauty of what we see you weren't a utilitarian god everything didn't just have to have a useful function you obviously care about beauty" [00:09:48]

"so help us pay attention lift up our heads look up at the sky look in one another's eyes really see each other and really listen to one another and treasure this one and only life we get while we're in it pray these things in the name of jesus amen" [00:10:08]

"look for pennies" [00:10:27]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Sep 02, 2021. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?