As I’m writing this I am looking over a vast expanse of land unadulterated by the hand of man. I’m on a 400 acre nature preserve just off Eagle Mountain Lake, sitting on the side of a rock ledge overlooking the lake. I can see for about a mile in front of me. To say that it is beautiful is an understatement. Something wells up inside of me when confronted with such beauty. Anyone who’s spent much time in nature probably knows the feeling I’m talking about. There’s an awe and a "thankfulness" that rises up in one’s soul when confronted with something in nature too wonderful for words. Looking out over this landscape I’m compelled to say “Thank You.” I’ve felt that “Thank You” in my heart since I was very young. It’s that feeling that lets me know there’s more to this world than what we see. If my soul is naturally inclined to say “Thank You” then I will spend the rest of my life in pursuit of discovering, to whom do I have the pleasure of thanking?
Sitting here I see trees pointed toward the sun, their branches lifted in praise to its light. I see delicate butterflies in all sorts of colors, playful and beautiful. I see food all around me, thanks to my latest hobby of learning to identify wild edible plants. If I were lost out here I could feast on cacti, yucca plants, dandelions, and cattails. I’ve learned that I can’t eat the plant out here called Water Hemlock or "I will surely die!" For the carnivores among us, there are lizards, snakes, rabbits and deer to feast on. These are not the things us Americans are keen on eating unless absolutely necessary but my point is, nature is an extravagant buffet table set just for us.
If you’ve ever been to my house for dinner, you know I love having people over. I make a big dinner, light nice candles and adjust every detail of my house in a way that says “Welcome, you are loved!” When I am out in my Father’s creation, I get the sense He’s done the same thing for us. I hear Him say “Welcome, look at everything I created for you!" It’s extravagant because My love for you is extravagant. It’s vast because I am vast but if you search for me I am very accessible. It’s colorful because I’m an artist. It is orderly because I am consistent. Creation is playful because regardless of popular belief, I have a sense of humor. I know the Lord is who He says He is because all of nature exudes the very essence of its creator! That’s what it was designed to do. To point us toward Him!! So that His invisible attributes could be clearly seen and understood. It feels arrogant to look at something so complex and draw the conclusion that it created itself, but if we humble ourselves the truth is easy to see. It seems far fetched to see the numerous varieties of plants and trees and the many species of animals, then decide that it all evolved randomly and unplanned.
The wind is blowing gently and although I can’t physically see it, it is most definitely here with me. To deny its presence would be ludicrous because I feel its effects (John 3:8). I sit outside today very affected by creation. I hear the message it is communicating to me about my Lord and as my favorite song says: “My soul can’t help but sing, Hallelujah”
*Since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse because although they knew God they did not glorify Him as God , nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools. Romans 1:20-23
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