“Positive Audacity refers to a bold or daring quality that inspires admiration. It implies taking risks and showing courage in facing challenges.”
There is a tomato bush growing on the pavement in Logan Way, the one-way street behind the Howard Centre. I noticed it for the first time a few months ago, a small bush pushing its way up through a crack in the concrete pavement. A bit like Moses at the burning bush, I felt a strange mesmerising attraction to this unusual phenomenon.
It’s first crop was quickly harvested by hungry car guards, and I am now witnessing a second crop that should be ready by early February. It is from this little tomato bush that God seems to engage with my soul. The sheer audacity of God to infuse a tiny tomato seed with such a determination to survive in the face of concrete, heat, and supermarket trollies.
The concept of God’s audacity is one that has fascinated me for years. It is a subject that delves into the boldness, majesty, and sometimes perplexing actions of the Lord. Between now and Easter this is the route I would invite you to explore with me, uncertain of where exactly it will lead us. We’ll cover the first three chapters of Genesis with some reference to other appropriate passages.
The very first words in Scripture,” In the beginning God created the Heavens and the Earth” sets the scene. At the very foundation of the universe lies an act of unimaginable audacity: creation itself. We turn to science to supply us with the technical details, and their remarkable discoveries leave us in even greater awe. The poetic metaphor of the inspired writer of Genises frees us to explore the mystery and meaning of our place in that same Universe today.
First “the Heavens”. The observable universe is about 93 billion light years in diameter and continues to expand. What all may or may not be happening out there we might never know. We can only gaze with wonder at the immensity of space and wonder at the sheer audacity of God to display such power, such creativity and vision.
And then” the Earth”. The Earth is estimated to have formed approximately 4.54 billion years ago, which is about 9.2 billion years after the Big Bang. The Big Bang is estimated to have occurred around 13.8 billion years ago, so Earth’s formation took place well into the universe’s history. The audacity of God’s patience!
Another poet gives us some words to help express the wonder of creation. Now that the moon has waned, go outside at around 9 pm and experience once more what David meant when he said:
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of God’s hands.” Psalm 19.