We recently moved to my husband’s hometown, a city that features a beautiful metro park system. Every day, prior to work and after dropping off two of our three young daughters at school, we take a brief hike together. My husband straps our baby onto his back in a backpack-like contraption, and off we go!
Along with the trees, river, and streams, we see wild turkeys, countless deer (including fawns and their parents), herons, goldfinches, cardinals, woodpeckers, squirrels, and chipmunks. We also relish seeing turtles of all sizes sunning themselves on the trunks of fallen trees in a bog.
As we hike through the nature preserves, I remind myself to look up. For indeed, “The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. They speak without a sound or word . . . . Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world” (Psalm 19:1-4). If I’m outside at night, I intentionally gaze up at the stars in hopes of getting to know God a little better (Psalm 19:2). If I can’t go outside, I look out the window to catch a glimpse of His creation.
Spending time in nature nurtures our spiritual growth. As Paul notes, creation—animals, birds, the sky, the earth, the trees, the plants, and the fish—reveal aspects of God’s nature (Romans 1:20). Theologians call this truth general revelation.
Spending time in creation definitely does reveal the natural world’s compelling testimony about our Creator. As Jesus taught, it’s important for us to note the flowers of the field, for they reflect God’s love and provision for us (Matthew 6:28-30).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Matthew 13:44-52
More:
Meditate on Matthew 6:25-34. Notice that Jesus invites His listeners to actually look at the birds and lilies, not merely imagine them.
Next:
How will you allow creation to speak of God and His ways to you this week? In what ways does God’s general revelation reveal Himself to you?
ericjohnallas on July 11, 2017 at 3:18 am
All the creation brings Glory to God.
By his creatiom we have seen his invisible attributes, eternal power and divine nature.
When the sun rises or when it rains we know God does not show partiality (Acts 10:34). That He is a perfect and merciful God(Luke 6:36).
Matthew 5:45
so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
When we look up the sky we see how high and wide is His Love and Faithfulness to us.
Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens,
your faithfulness to the clouds.
Your righteousness is like the mountains of God;
your judgments are like the great deep;
man and beast you save, O LORD.
Psalm 36:5-6
The nature reveals the wisdom of our Lord.
Pro 3:19 — Pro 3:20
The Lord by wisdom founded the earth;
by understanding he established the heavens;
by his knowledge the deeps broke open,
and the clouds drop down the dew.
All creation adores our Lord.
sandy229 on July 11, 2017 at 9:25 am
We see His fingerprints everywhere!!
Gary Shultz on July 11, 2017 at 5:48 am
Hi Marlena: What a great addition to Remi’s article on Sunday. Finding rest, being spoken to by God’s creation are great things God has allowed to peer through here on this earth. He has placed them here on purpose to speak to us each day as we observe and engage in nature. One of the great things of rural living, observing, and seeing, even in a less than perfect condition, the beauty, balance and wonders of nature. I have always felt in my soul God never intended for people to be out of touch with nature, just existing in cement jungles. Okay I know some, very much enjoy being surrounded by buildings and the bustle of urban life; nature may be as challenging to them as it would be for me to continually live the urban way of life. So, not to spark discord, I still agree with you it is a inspiring experience to engage with God’s creation. Thanks Marlena
gflory on July 11, 2017 at 8:49 am
I agree with you 100%. Just this morning I looked out the window and there were 4 hawks playing in a puddle that was formed from the hard downpour from yesterday. Five minutes later I would of miss it. I call those God’s little blessings. The older I get the closer I look for them and enjoy everyone.
sandy229 on July 11, 2017 at 9:21 am
We went to the Mojave Natural Preserve and it was really breath taking to say the least. There are more Joshua yucca trees there, than anywhere in the world. They are more dense than anywhere. There are so many, it’s impossible to count, just like the stars. Just looking at God’s creation is such a joy! We go out every Saturday somewhere to look at more of God’s creation. It’s always so sad when there is a fire that destroys all that God has made. We see the beauty in all that God has made. My husband likes to take pictures of the animals when we see them. He captured a perfect picture of a baby jack rabbit that stopped in front of us to lick his paw. It was so adorable. On one trail, there was a rattlesnake that was basking in the sun in the middle of the road, so we had to wait for him to move so we wouldn’t hurt him, but we did convince him to leave just making a little noise. There was a chipmunk at this one place that sat on a rock so I could get a picture, then ran on its way. There is endless beauty in God’s creation!!
Tom Felten on July 11, 2017 at 11:28 am
Marlena, you’re right, the design and beauty found in the natural world points to our amazing Creator. I remember one time sitting on top of a mountain—at 14,000 feet—reading and meditating on Psalm 104:1-35. What an amazing time of worship as I engaged with God’s special revelation (Scripture) and His general revelation!
minkjh on July 11, 2017 at 1:01 pm
Surely an experience that you’ll never forget, Tom! The sheer magnitude of the event plus the supernatural revelation that this Psalm provided you that day can only occur when we affirm that the Creator alone, and not his creation, is worthy of worship. Thanks for sharing sound theology with us.
sandy229 on July 11, 2017 at 10:54 pm
I agree, we worship only the Creator and not what He created. He alone is worthy of our praise! When we see all the things God made, it just makes us stand in awe of the Creator because we were made for His purpose and not our own. Thanks Marlena, Tom and minkjh!
Monica Brands on July 11, 2017 at 11:57 am
Thanks, Marlena, I’ve been realizing lately how hard it can be escape from our crazy-faced paced life into creation, but how important and healing it is.