The earth knows what to do. It asks no questions about rotation rates or angles. It doesn’t need to ask about when to begin a new season or where to gather the clouds for rain. The plants and trees know which direction to grow to become stronger – up. Their roots know to grow deep into rich soil for nourishment and stability. The animals’ instincts guide them in how to find a mate and raise their young.

In the early morning hours, dew falls silently, gently coating any area that is open to what comes from above. Then the sun begins its slow ascent, and its rays touch the areas coated with dew. The cycle continues as the condensation dances its way back to the sky. Vapors as smoke from a fire appear, as they twist and spin, swirling their way back to the heavens, only to gather again and fall back to us as needed rain.

To witness the vapor’s brief morning journey is awe-inspiring. Watching out the window as this cycle plays out on the tops of my deck furniture brings me to how great is the Father’s love for us. He displays that in everything He has created! This reminds me of how every night God gives us breath for the next day, so that when Jesus the Son – who is represented each new morning by our sun rising in the sky – sees and touches us, we offer thanks back to him, offer our lives back to him in daily gratitude for all that He willingly has done and continually does for us. Our words of thanks and offered prayers for the day are as those vapors, making their way to heaven. This is a sure sign of servanthood and following the Creator’s cycle of love – He gives, we receive, we give, He receives… it ebbs and flows. Love comes down, it goes back up – just like the dew.

So the next time you see smoke rising from a fire, or the morning vapors ascending from the grasses, take that moment to thank God for life that day, for all He has graciously done for you, and bring others to Him as well. Your words, as a burnt offering, will return to Him as the vapors and smoke return to the heavens. He will hear you, and soon send the heavenly rains back down.

This was his design for us.

My prayer for you:
“Now may God give you of the dew of heaven, And of the fatness of the earth, And an abundance of grain and new wine;”
Genesis 27:28

“And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, went up before God out of the angel’s hand.”
Revelation 8:4

“Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord; his going out is sure as the dawn; he will come to us as the showers, as the spring rains that water the earth.”
Hosea 6:3

Food for thought: Burnt offerings: A burnt offering speaks of a person’s dedication and requires the entire beast to be burned. This is an offering of service to God, symbolising the dedication of one’s entire self: one’s mind, heart and inner strength also. The lifeblood of the animal representing the sinner’s own blood is sprinkled on the altar as a reminder that one’s life is required as payment for sin before one can serve God faithfully. So to be a servant of God one must die and be reborn through God’s forgiveness.

Fun facts: Dew occurs when the ground is cold. The air around the ground comes in contact with it. Water vapor in the air condenses and tiny drops of water fall over everything. The water vapor from the plants combine with the water vapor in the air and make big drops on leaves, flowers or grass.

Photo by: Kari Wiseman – Morning Vapors