A friend once told me, "If there was a God, I'd feel closest to him in nature." His mind accepted more easily the idea of a Creator while he was in the midst of creation. Sadly, that is where my dear friend left God. Though the Lord's hand is clearly evident in the artistry of our landscape, my dear friend's eyes are blind to His glory.
Our family drives from California to my husband's home town in Kansas once a year. I realize for some that seems a tremendous bore, and yet, we really enjoy the journey. Traveling through the diverse countryside, for me, is like studying a portrait of the Almighty. My mind soars, as I take in the beauty of God's spiritual nature as well as His creation. The brush strokes on this earthly canvas reveal so much of the Lord's character, it takes my breath away.
Though we drive down the same highways, year after year, it never feels the same. That's the first characteristic I find endearing: God is never monotonous or boring. While it is true that, God is the same, "yesterday, today and forever," His means of guiding and blessing me are new every morning. This is experienced most in my studies. While I am familiar with my Bible, each time I open His Word, he reveals something new--about a character or a lesson--and I have another pearl for my strand.
On the road, I marvel over the countless qualities of my Maker. The expanse of God's handiwork stretched out before me prompts a game of "Where's God." Resolved and leaving no rock left unturned, I seek signs of the Lord in nature. I am never dissatisfied with the hunt.
First, I note the sky, which is nothing short of amazing. With its wispy clouds like a wake from God's own chariot, it reminds me He is always moving: working behind the scenes on my behalf. And in the morning, the sun bursts upon the horizon, stirring the spirit with anticipation for the day ahead. For God has plans He has had prepared for such a long time. Then there is the playful side of the Father, which is found in his puffy caricatures in the clouds. That followed by the setting sun--which holds my attention--as I sense the Lord encouraging me to examine my day. I hear the Spirit whisper, "Don't let the sun go down on your anger..." and I am moved by God's great concern for my peace. Un-confessed sins break fellowship with God. With night approaching, He gently reminds me to hold fast His hand, so I do not stumble in the dark.
The clouds speak to me of His covering. The mountains proclaim His majesty and wisdom, for His ways are above my own. The soil reveals His mysterious side: for he buries treasure within it. The prairie grass blowing in the wind, shows His gentle nature. While the gusts of wind--that rattle the car--remind me not to test Him. Towering evergreens speak of His everlasting love. Great canyons and weathered cliffs point to His artistic flair. The giant cactus warns of His wrath and the curse on the land due to sin. Even the fields of golden wheat sing His praise: for God is a faithful provider. The list could go on and on.
Oswald states: "If we are children of God, we have a tremendous treasure in nature and will realize that it is holy and sacred."
The reason my friend and millions like him can consider the existence of God amidst his creation, is because the very breath that breathed each word in the creation saga, lingers within creation itself. "God said, "Let there be light" and there was light," (Genesis 1:3NIV). Nothing came into existence outside of God's command to bring it forth into being. Therefore, when man removes himself from the idol saturated environment created by humans, and lingers in the midst of God's creation, his soul recalls the voice of God. The voice of origin that long ago spoke, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness," (Genesis 1:24NIV). We never forget the sound of God's voice. We merely choose to close our ears to it.
The Word addresses this tendency of man's to separate God from His work.
"The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.
For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse," (Romans 1:18-20NIV).
There are many things that can steal our attention and blind our eyes to the glory of God: some are tangible things and some are intangible things. Brother's and sister's in Christ, may we cast these blinders aside and seek forgiveness for our adulterous ways before the sun goes down today. In so doing, we can rest with peaceful hearts. For we are certain, the God whose fingerprint is on every star blinking in the night sky, has also made an eternal mark on us. And though His work is evident upon us and in our lives...many will claim it is not there: they will chose to be blind to it.
Lord, have mercy on us all!
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