A few years ago, I wrote on these pages about an experience I had under the canopy of a majestic Wyoming night sky. I was a different man then. Much younger, of course, but also very lost. Lost in self-satisfaction, addictions and well, just plain lost.
On that night, in the midst of a conversation with a young co-worker, we had pondered the night sky as we consumed a fifth of whiskey together. He is questioning how such majesty could come to be and I not wanting to see the Creator at work.
I am, these many years later, again under those indescribable Wyoming skies. A little farther east but still each night the canopy of stars surrounds me. Now, instead of heading a work crew building cell tower bases. I am here with God led scientists at a place called the Hansen Research Station. The goal of this expedition, as it has been for close to 30 years is to through both paleontology and geology show the wonders of God’s creation. The blessing is that the scientists allow folks like me to be part of this work each year.
I will not spent a tremendous amount of time explaining the work. Mostly because I do not understand much of it myself. But we are here in the high plains in Northeast Wyoming excavating and preserving remnants of dinosaurs or at least their fossilized remains.
It is rough living, tents, and few of the modern amenities. Rough work, hands on digging with small instruments in the shaley clay for hours on end. I am amazed each time I come here how it compares with my experience of years ago in its roughness. Yet, as I have stated, I am a different man in a different place but still under that amazing Wyoming sky.
Last night I was once again sitting under it. This time there was no companion. My wife RuthAnn was sleeping. There was no fifth of whiskey, that addiction no longer holds me thanks to my relationship with Jesus Christ. This night it was just me, the night sky and the realization of how powerful and wonderful the God we serve is.
As I sat, off to the East was the remnant of a super cell storm. It flashed lightnings as if a fireworks display. I do not take these storms lightly. They are dangerous and deadly. We experienced one in the camp a few nights before. But as I sat there under unlimited stars and with the storm flashing, I felt so humbled. Here I was. A man who had spent years cursing God, when I took the time to believe in Him at all, surrounded by His majestic creation and his people who were here to glorify Him. He had brought me through so much. I wanted to find a way to praise Him. I wanted to remind myself that I really was no longer the man who sat below these skies so long ago. I wanted to find that verse I had written in my last blog about a Wyoming night and this time sing it in my heart. So, I opened my cell phone Bible and found this verse written by a shepherd boy long ago as he looked into the wonders of a sky distant from here but still all God’s creation.
“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the skies announce what his hands have made.” Psalm 19:1
I felt at peace now. I felt blessed. I did sing in my heart and lifted my eyes again and again to His wonders.
Today I will join again with the students, volunteers, and scientists. We will dig up the past in search of patterns of God’s creation and ways. More importantly I will share in song and devotion to My God and Savior. Tonight, I will walk again under this Wyoming sky, and I will know that as small and sinful a man as I am, I am loved. That is why I come here and contribute what I can. Just to give back a little and know God can save and change any heart including my own!
Blessings from Wyoming
6/15/21
John
