There is a sad reality that some people
are able to see the wonders of nature and yet fail to see God through
it. I cannot comprehend how one can gaze at the magnificence of the
entire Universe yet fail to see God’s fingerprints in all of it.
Feeling close to God in nature is something that I have never
struggled with. As Romans 1:20, “For ever since the world was
created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God
made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities–his eternal
power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.”
I have always felt close to God through
nature. Some of the most deepest and closest encounters I have with
God happened while walking through the woods, viewing snow-capped
mountains, witnessing the beauty of a sunset by the shore or gazing
at the skies on a clear starry night. I have always been overcome
with a deep sense of reverence and connection to God whenever I look
at the beauty around me. Feeling close to God in nature is just easy
for me, I feel surrounded by His love.
This was never more true than last
Saturday when I, after less than 4 hours of sleep, got up at 3:45 and
drove 3-1/2 hours to just the other side of Boardman. Just before
sunrise as I was cresting a hill, God blessed me with the most
A-M-A-Z-I-N-G sunrise. I had to pull over and take some pictures. As
I again headed toward my destination and was about 5 minutes out, the
fog set in was so thick I literally could not see 5 feet in front of
my face. Now for those of you truly know me 1) you know I detest
driving in the dark and 2) you know that I don't like driving
somewhere where I am not familiar, actually, I don't like driving much
at all so what the heck was I doing driving 3-1/2 hours one way –
the things I do for a picture. I got off of I-84 and
barely could see the stand of trees, and as I was having quite the
conversation with God stating, “Great, just great, I got less than
4 hours of sleep, just drove 3-1/2 hours, still have to drive 3-1/2
hours back home, the fog is so thick I can barely see my hand in
front of my face, what kind of pictures am I going to get?” I
found somewhere to park, grabbed my gear, and headed out. As I
looked down the path, I realized that fog actually made for kind of a
cool, one-of-a-kind shot, kind of like my life, my relationship with
Him. I started shooting and as I stopped and took a few seconds to
take in the beauty, I saw the sun breaking through the fog and it all
took my breath away. I walked thru trees alone just in awe of the beauty of this place, wishing I had come sooner to see it. At one point, I just sat down because I was on sensory overload with the beauty of this place. I kept hearing noises, like somebody was following me, but every time I looked around I never saw anybody. I finally realized I wasn't hearing a person, but it was the leaves falling off the trees that I was hearing. I spent nearly 3 hours taking pictures and before it was all said and done, the sun came out and I got some great shots, both with and without the fog, but I feel neither my words nor my pictures do it justice. I just stood there, amazed by the the
beauty of God's creation. How about you? Does you see God’s
greatness through his creations?
Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun, which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat.”
The reason that we often feel closer to God in nature is simple. He is the Creator. He made all that you see. He made it stunning and it is all pointing us back to Him. Nature “declares the glory of God.” Nature “proclaims the work of his hands.” Nature “pours forth speech.”
You feel close to God in nature because He is speaking to you and He is telling you about himself.
Nature reveals the glorious beauty of the one who imagined it all.
Nature reveals the power behind the storm.
Nature reveals the brilliance of the one who designed every system of every living thing.
Nature reveals the endless creativity of the Lord.
Nature reveals the generosity of the creator who even fills the unseen depths of the sea with remarkable diversity.
Get out and soak it in. Let the beauty of it fill your heart and bring you to worship.
God is shouting “I am glorious!” Listen for him
