Finding God in the Beauty of Our World
No where is God more evident than in the beauty and wonder of our world and universe. Taking time to look at the natural world and the vast stars in the sky can’t but help reinforce the idea that there is a God.
Marveling at God’s Creation
Psalm 19:1-4 creatively expresses the enormity of God. It states, “The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.” When we look up at the sky, we can see the intricate design and boundless expanse of the universe. If our natural world is so amazing to behold, then what about the One who created all these things? As humans, we sometimes can get distracted by the things that are closest to us – family, work, friends, cars, vacations, and church. These things can get in the way of us seeing what God has created in nature, and if we are not careful, we can think that our life is all that matters.
“Some people, in order to discover God, read books. But there is a great book: the very appearance of created things. Look above you! Look below you! Read it. God, whom you want to discover, never wrote that book with ink. Instead He set before your eyes the things that He had made. Can you ask for a louder voice than that?” — Augustine of Hippo
The Message in Creation
“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.” — Romans 1:20
Paul also wrote about the natural revelation of God. In Romans 1, he shares that the invisible qualities of God are evident in creation. This reminds me of an atheistic puzzle, of someone who is alone on an island and without exposure to the Bible or people who know God and how they will make it to heaven. We jokingly call this scenario “Johnny in a box on an island.”
The idea is that a person cannot be held accountable for their lives if they never know that they are accountable. Paul faced this same kind of thinking. Yet, the Bible says that even if there was Johnny in a box on an island, he would have enough evidence of God’s existence to acknowledge that there is a God.
“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.” — C.S. Lewis
Nature’s Testament to God’s Plan
Although Johnny may not understand the idea of salvation, nature shows that there is a problem with creation. The creation is decaying. Scientists call this The Second Law of Thermal Dynamics. Everything is losing energy. We call it decay. The Bible says that it has the answer for that process of decay and its cause. Sin is the cause, and God has done something to make sin no longer a factor in the personal lives of people. Even though its effect continues to decay all of creation, God has done something about it.
Johnny in a box living alone on a deserted island has the sunrise to tell him about the glory of God. At night, the stars and galaxies above remind him that something bigger than himself lives. Johnny is accountable to that knowledge.
“Our Lord has written the promise of resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in springtime.” — Martin Luther
Pointing to the Creator
Most people turn to the creation itself as the source of divinity. God says He’s given enough evidence in nature to point you to the fact that whatever exists did not come out of nowhere, it came from someone.
“I love to think of nature as an unlimited broadcasting station, through which God speaks to us every hour, if we will only tune in.” — George Washington Carver
Applying the Wisdom of Creation
Now that we’ve explored how nature reveals God’s glory and the evidence of His existence, let’s consider some practical ways we can apply these insights to our lives.
- Spend Time in Nature: Make it a habit to spend time outdoors, appreciating the beauty of the natural world around you. Whether it’s a walk in the park, a hike in the mountains, or simply sitting in your backyard, take time to observe and marvel at God’s handiwork.
“But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you.” — Job 12:7-9
- Reflect on the Stars: On a clear night, take a moment to look up at the stars. Allow their vastness to remind you of the greatness of the Creator. Use this time to meditate on the psalmist’s words in Psalm 19:1-2, “The heavens are telling of the glory of God.”
“Lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these stars, The One who leads forth their host by number, He calls them all by name; Because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power, Not one of them is missing.” — Isaiah 40:26
- Share the Message: Just as creation points to its Creator, let your life reflect the truth of God’s existence. Share your awe and wonder about the natural world with others, and use it as an opportunity to share your faith in a loving and approachable God.
“But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.” — 1 Peter 3:15
- Embrace Humility: Recognize that, as amazing as the universe is, it’s just a glimpse of God’s infinite greatness. Embrace humility in the face of such a majestic Creator and approach Him with a heart full of gratitude and reverence.
“Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; It is too high, I cannot attain to it.” — Psalm 139:6
In a world filled with distractions, let’s not forget to look up and behold the majesty of God’s creation. Whether it’s the intricate details of a flower or the vastness of the night sky, every aspect of the natural world serves as a reminder of the Creator’s greatness. Just as the heavens declare His glory, may our lives declare His love and truth to all those around us.
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