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Finding Faith: The hand of God

In Richland Center, Wisconsin, the home town of renowned architect Frank Lloyd Wright, is a brick warehouse. As I recall, it’s a rather plain looking building.

The citizens of Richland Center, however, are very proud of this building and have placed a plaque on it declaring it to be the first work of the famous architect.

In the wooded hills of south central Pennsylvania, stands “Fallingwater,” the historic Edgar Kaufman Mansion, built by the millionaire mercantile owner from Pittsburgh and designed by (you guessed it) Frank Lloyd Wright.

It is a magnificent stone structure that blends perfectly with its surroundings. It’s named for the clear limestone stream that bubbles through the living area and tumbles over a stone waterfall on top of which the house is built. People travel great distances to tour this historic mansion, the best known example of Frank Lloyd Wright’s artistry.

The two structures have little in common. You and I probably wouldn’t identify them as the product of the same architect. However, an architect who knows what to look for would no doubt easily see the hand of Frank Lloyd Wright in both buildings. You see, we humans can’t avoid leaving the imprint of our personality on everything we do.

Just as surely, the hand of God is seen in His activity by those who will look for it.

The psalmist wrote; “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” (Psalm 19:1 NIV.)

What astronomer can look into the night sky and not see the majesty of God reflected in the cosmos? What surgeon can look into the intricacies of the human body and not stand in awe of the wisdom of God? What rancher can look across a green springtime pasture, witness the cows with calves by their sides, and not wonder at the beauty of God’s creation? Is there a mother who can look into the eyes of her newborn and not see the love of the Creator?

Scientist, philosopher, and theologian all agree the creation is changing. The world is not like it used to be. The process had to have a beginning. We all take this for granted.

If the universe, this earth, and the life upon it had a beginning, there must have been an originating cause. That’s just plain common sense. We all agree. But, there is great disagreement when we attempt to identify that originating cause.

For my part, I’ll go with the explanation of Hebrews 11:3; “By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command.” Every star and planet, every leaf and flower, every birth and even every death bears the mark of God’s hand.

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Finding Faith is written by area pastors. This week’s column comes from Pastor Chuck Salmon, a retired minister living in Lock Haven.

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