Elmer’s Glue and Jesus
I have a good friend who lives in Page, Arizona, named Stan Burman. Before retiring Stan worked at Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. He loves the West and its rich history. Through our friendship he has created in me an interest in the ancient Cliff Dwellers. I’ve read a number of books he has given me on the subject and recently went so far as to purchase an Anasazi bowl from a dealer. I was quite excited about my purchase. You can only imagine the horror and disappointment I experienced this past week when I opened the package containing my bowl only to discover it had broken into five pieces during shipment. I immediately contacted Stan to let him know what had happened. His response surprised me. He said, “It’s amazing what a little Elmer’s glue will do.” I purchased some Elmer’s glue and by following Stan’s directions was able to put the bowl back together. It really doesn’t look bad at all.
About the same time all this was taking place I read the apostle Paul’s letter to the Colossians. In the first chapter of this book Paul speaks of Jesus being “the firstborn over all creation” and then adds, “For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible…all things were created by him and for him.” (v. 16) It was what Paul said next that caught my attention. Verse 17 says “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Paul makes an astonishing claim here. He believed that it was Jesus who held this world together, that he is the glue that makes things stick. Now obviously this is not a claim that can be backed by science but that does not mean it is not true. By faith Paul held that it is the Creator’s hand that holds the world together. By faith, I accept this to be true as well.
As the season of Thanksgiving approaches we should give thanks not just for the existence of this beautiful world God has created but also for its divine preservation. When I look at my restored Anasazi bowl I think I’ll always think of Colossians 1:17. I’ll also give thanks for Elmer’s glue and for the glue that holds Creation together—the hand of my Savior and Lord.
–Chuck
(I took these two images while visiting Stan at Glen Canyon N.R.A. The top image was captured at Horseshoe Bend and the bottom at Romana Mesa.)