Let Everything Praise the Lord

             Have you heard the “pinkletinks”? That’s what they call them on Martha’s Vineyard. Don’t ask me why. Maybe you’ve heard the name “tinkletoes” – sometimes used in New Brunswick? Probably not. The small chorus frog found throughout the northeastern U.S. is also called a “spring peeper”, or just “peeper”. Oh… those! Have you heard them? Just about any place you find even a small body of water you will find peepers this time of year. Actually, you will more likely hear them. They are very difficult to find. Just like crickets, you hear them at a distance, but if you come too close, they stop “peeping”. And since they are typically in dense brush/growth, and since it usually is dark, there’s almost no chance that you will see one. They are especially easy to hear due to their extremely loud mating call which gives them the name "peeper", but it is often hard to pinpoint the source of the sound, especially when many are peeping at once. Here’s a link if you want to hear one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhBsNqF7Hkk&noredirect=1.

            If you could see one, you would find that spring peepers are tan or brown with a dark cross that roughly forms an X on their dorsa (backside), thus the Latin name Pseudacris crucifer, meaning cross-bearer. This frog has a vocal sac located by its throat, which expands and deflates like a balloon to create a short and distinct peeping sound. Only the males have the ability to make this loud high-pitched noise, and they use it to attract mates. These one-inch frogs seem to only want to be seen/found by a female of the species. Yet we all get to enjoy the chorus every spring when the sun goes down each day.

            God’s creation is certainly amazing. Every species resounds in appearance and in sound to the glory of God. When I hear the peepers I think of them simply doing what they were created to do. But as they do so, they glorify their Maker. They aren’t conscious of being cross-bearers, but they are. They were designed by God in a unique way. In a different way, of course, we who follow Christ (the new creation) have been designed to be cross-bearers as well. We were created in Christ Jesus to do good works. What we do for the Lord and for others… and what we say that represents the Lord faithfully… all of that is a chorus of praise as well. People both hear and see us. When they do, do they see and hear the worship of our lives unto Christ? May the Lord give us “large voices”… may we together in Christ be a “large chorus” of praise to His glory, doing what we were made to do. The next time you hear the peepers, remember that you were designed by the Lord to join in the praise – in a way that is unique to you. No one else can do it for you.

Psalm 96:11-13 (NIV) ¹¹  Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it; ¹²  let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy; ¹³  they will sing before the LORD, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his truth.

Ephesians 2:10 (NIV) ¹⁰  For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Romans 12:1-2 (NIV) ¹  Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. ²  Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

PRAYER: “Lord, thank You for the song of the peepers. As a springtime sound, it lifts us with joy about warmer and longer days ahead. Thank You that all of Your creatures so naturally glorify You. May I glorify You as well.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”

 Jesus Christ is Lord!

Scott