A solar system in my coffee cup? Seriously? Pierce Taylor Hibbs, in his recent book, Finding God in the Ordinary, is indeed serious. While using very playful and multicolored language, Hibbs wants us to take time to seriously consider the attributes and nature of our triune God imprinted on the world. 

The very world he has spoken into being and maintains by the Word of his power (Gen 1:1; Col 1:17; Heb. 1:3).

In his series on parenting, Paul David Tripp encourages parents to instill a sense of awe in their children. Hibbs’ book is a great resource to help not just parents, but all of us, to develop a fuller sense of awe of God through the ordinary in creation.

We speak of the importance of God’s written Word, and especially of The Word, Jesus Christ, who is “the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature (Heb. 1:3).” This is often called special revelation, and it is needed to interpret and understand the purpose and meaning of creation.

Yet, there is also speech from God in what has been created. Listen to some of the ways the Bible, God’s special revelation, describes God’s natural revelation:

“He did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness (Acts 14:17).”

“For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made (Rom 1:20).”

“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words, whose voice is not heard. (Ps 19:1-3).”

Returning to solar systems in a coffee cup. What is that about? As Hibbs was staring at his coffee cup one morning, the swirling patterns of the black coffee in his white coffee cup reminded him of swirling galaxies.

Hang with him here and follow the connections: swirling galaxies led to a consideration of our smallness, that led to amazement that God is mindful of us and cares for us (Ps 8:4), which led to the reason God cares for us - His love. From swirling coffee to, “I am very small, but I am greatly loved!” Amazing.

Each chapter of the book takes us on a journey of discovery, finding the fingerprints of God in his creation. As John Calvin is quoted in the book “the structure of the world serves as a mirror in which we behold God, who otherwise can’t be seen (Heb. 11:3).” Also, each chapter stands on its own, making it easy to go back and reread of a favorite “watermark” that God has left on the world.

I was thankful for Hibbs’ epilogue. There are times when the words Hibbs uses may sound as if he is advocating pantheism, as if everything in the world is divine. He is not; he wants us to see the imprints of God in God’s handiwork and see the world as it truly is – something extraordinary even in the ordinary!