I've long been drawn to the idea that a creature praises the Creator by doing what it was created to do. In the movie Chariots of Fire, Eric Liddell, the Olympic runner, was born to missionary parents in China. In a scene early in the movie, Eric had a discussion with his sister, who thought he should give up his competitive running to become a missionary. Eric saw his running, rather, as a way to glorify God, before he returned to China to do mission work. Eric responded to his sister in this way, "I believe God made me for a purpose, but He also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure."
There's a passage in the Psalms that speaks about all creation praising God:
"Praise the Lord...
lightning and hail, snow and clouds,
stormy winds that do His bidding...
you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars,
wild animals and all cattle,
small creatures and flying birds,...
young men and maidens, old men and children.
Let them praise the name of the Lord, for His name alone is exalted:
His splendor is above the earth and the heavens."
Psalm 148:7-13
It's easy to think of an oriole lifting its melody in praise to God, or a lily, dispersing its fragrance, its beauty reflecting the glory of the One who made it, but what about that cold bare bulb under the ground, waiting for a signal from the sun?
Could not its praise be in the waiting, too?
