Colossians 2:8-10 
“Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.” (NLT)

“Watch out for people who try to dazzle you with big words and intellectual double-talk. They want to drag you off into endless arguments that never amount to anything. They spread their ideas through the empty traditions of human beings and the empty superstitions of spirit beings. But that’s not the way of Christ. Everything of God gets expressed in him, so you can see and hear him clearly. You don’t need a telescope, a microscope, or a horoscope to realize the fullness of Christ, and the emptiness of the universe without him. When you come to him, that fullness comes together for you, too. His power extends over everything.” (MSG)

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Our middle granddaughter of three spent the night with us last night. At 4:45 this morning, I heard the unmistakable tunes of one of the books she took to bed with her. This book plays songs to accompany the stories. Assuming she had rolled over in bed and accidentally pressed the button to play Twinkle Twinkle, I likewise rolled over and waited for it to stop so that I could get back to sleep on this Saturday morning.

Then Baa Baa Black Sheep began to play.

As quietly as possible, I arose from bed, climbed the stairs, and tiptoed down the hall to the bedroom where yet another song was beginning to play. This beautiful granddaughter was delighted to have someone share in her playtime. Did I mention it was 4:45 AM?

Kindly and gently, I picked up the book and turned off the switch while explaining, “We’re still sleeping.” 

We were sleeping. In fact, my bride sleeps on. I, however, have the video monitor and have watched our early-rising granddaughter read more of her books, talk to her stuffed friends, and build tents with the bedding. 

Now at 6:32, she is soundly snoozing again. I’m going to need a nap later today.

While awaiting the coffee’s kick, I scanned the notifications that arrived overnight on my iPad. YouTube sent a recap of my most-viewed topics for the past year. The categories were interesting and unsurprising. The algorithm presented some interesting content for me to peruse today. Some of what it presented would never ever find its way onto my preferred playlist. 

This brings me to today’s Bible passage. It is as if the Apostle Paul were looking at the YouTube suggestions along with me. Alongside rock-solid Bible teachers are Stoic philosophers, Marvel movie clips, highly-regarded leadership gurus, and computer app tutorials. Any one of these categories can lead into an hours-long rabbit hole.

This is a good opportunity to invite you to join me in returning to today’s Bible passage for a good, long pondering. I especially enjoy The Message paraphrase where it says, “You don’t need a telescope, a microscope, or a horoscope to realize the fullness of Christ, and the emptiness of the universe without him. When you come to him, that fullness comes together for you, too. His power extends over everything.”

Get to know Jesus at increasing depth. Know his heart and mind, his will and ways. Understand his purpose and plans for you, me, and everyone. Allow him to provide the perspective necessary for life and living, and for evaluating everything that pops up on YouTube, social media, and news sources. 

I hope you have a thirty-five-pound package of pure delight in your life who awakens you uncharacteristically early on the day you get to sleep until the dogs get hungry. I hope you sing songs, read stories, and dine with delight. I hope you see how this is part of God’s way of teaching us what is truly deeply meaningful about life. Know him, and know his wonders.

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I will delight in early morning songs and eternal truths that outlast every philosophy set up in competition. 

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Our Father, thank you for grandchildren. Thank you for simple songs. Thank you for wonderful stories. Thank you for the simple graces of early mornings and afternoon naps. Amen.