When is the last time you spent time in nature?
I know, I know. Texas’ nature is not always very welcoming. But still. When is the last time you spent a good chunk of time being loving and being loved by nature. Even something as simple as watching the clouds pass by on your backyard, with a good book, or maybe praying while watching the sunrise in your front porch. Or just simply paying attention to the beauty that comes with the change of seasons.
Why would you I do that, you may ask?
“In the beginning, God was revealed in all the works of creation. It was Christ that spread the heavens, and laid the foundations of the earth. It was His hand that hung the worlds in space, and fashioned the flowers of the field. “His strength setteth fast the mountains.” “The sea is His, and He made it.” (Psalm 65:6, 95:5). It was He that filled the earth with beauty, and the air with song. And upon all things in earth, and air, and sky, He wrote the message of the Father’s love.” (Desire of Ages, pg. 20).
White lifts up Christ as the Creator. Furthermore, like any artist wanting to convey something through his art, we are told Jesus writes a message all over Creation. A message for you and me. “The Father’s love”. In other words, as you look at a dog, a sunset, the leaves falling during Fall, or any other show of nature, you are being reminded of how much the Creator loves. A Father that is detail oriented, caring and celebratory. A Father whose eyes are on the sparrow and whose hands keep our planet in its rotation. The Father that loves the big and loves the small and cares for all.
What does this all mean?
First, that the Bible is not the only way to know about God. In Psalm 19:1 we are told exactly that: “the Heavens declare the glory of God, the skies declare the work of his hands”. We can know God through his creation! God makes his character known to us through the created world that surround us. How cool is that?
Second, that we should be intentional in exposing ourselves to the creation book. As Christians, we are told that we should read the Bible (rightfully so), as it is God’s love letter to us. But we often treat it as if it was the only one, forgetting we are surrounded by a living, breathing, moving revelation also given by God to us. Sadly, many of us treat this revelation as nothing more than something to peak at while walking from our front door to our car.
I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t want to pass on the opportunity to know someone I love better. The Bible will always be the clearest, most direct revelation of God’s heart to me. But I can also testify that many a morning, my agitated mind has found peace and embrace in nature’s awakening. Hearing the birds welcome the new day, seeing the sky change its colors made me feel God’s love for me in a way that words couldn’t.
What I am trying to say is, don’t pass on God’s revelation in nature.
There’s beauty to be discovered.
There is love to be given.