All Creatures of our God and King

By Cindy Goding

This past week I was in Mexico for my sister’s wedding. It was warm, sunny, and the scenery was beautiful. What was weird is that we arrived on Saturday and the next day was Easter Sunday. I found myself getting sad to think I was missing the Easter service, the traditions, and the family time. What caught and convicted me is that just because we weren’t physically in Rolling Meadows sitting in “our” pew at Meadows Christian Fellowship, didn’t mean that it was any less special or a time of remembrance and celebration. God was just as much there with us, as he was with you all! 

See, sometimes we forget that it’s not about the building, the place, or even the people. Sometimes we can place too much faith in the person behind the pulpit instead of the person they’re preaching about. Sometimes we can hold too much pride in the area or ministry in which we serve rather than who we are serving. Sometimes we can criticize the flow, the music, the layout, the looks, rather than acknowledge and praise the ability to freely worship Him without persecution. Sometimes I forget, sometimes I need reminding. And this past week was a great reminder.

It’s not about WHAT, WHERE, or WHEN, it’s all about WHO! Who am I worshiping? Who am I praising? Who am I holding onto when things are hard, or better yet- who am I holding onto when things are easy? It’s the WHO that can sometimes become foggy or get lost. 

As I looked out at the vast ocean, I was reminded of His greatness. Of his never ending love for us. I saw his power, I saw his peace, I saw his love for color and beauty. I saw his enjoyment as the waves rolled in. I saw his attention to detail in the tiny granules of sand. I saw his creativity in the different animals and reptiles we encountered. I saw his plan for redemption as we interacted with people and a culture that wasn’t the same as ours, and yet, we were all praising God on that Easter Sunday. 

God is everywhere. And everywhere praises Him. When you read throughout the Psalms you encounter many verses that refer to all creation praising Him. I was reminded of that this past week.

Psalm 96

Oh sing to the Lord a new song 

     sing to the Lord, all the earth!

Sing to the Lord, bless his name;

     tell of his salvation from day to day.

Declare his glory among the nations, 

     his marvelous works among the peoples.

For great is the Lord, and greatly to be 

    praised. 

… 

Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth

     rejoice;

       Let the sea roar, and all that fills it;

      Let the field exult, and everything in it!

Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy.

It’s not about the place. It’s about the person. So lift up your voice and PRAISE Him! It doesn’t have to be only on Sunday mornings, while sitting in the pew. It needs to be always, all the time, exuding from our very inner being.

Have you heard the hymn, “All Creatures of our God and King”? 

Listen to the words-

All Creatures of Our God and King (2012) - Mormon Tabernacle Choir