Tag Archives: creation

Wildflower meadow with daisies and clover under sunrise with mist and dew

Finding Wonder in God’s Creation

Leave a reply

This morning I awoke in one of my favorite places – the Great Smoky Mountains. Specifically in the city of Pigeon Forge, TN. I love these beautiful mountains and cherish the memories I have of many previous visits and relish the thoughts of yet another brief time spent here.

I often ask myself, “Why do I love these mountains like I do?” The answer to that question is not quite clear to me. As far back as I can remember, I have always loved the mountains. If you know me, even casually, you have probably heard me say at some point that I would love to live in the mountains of Wyoming or Montana (one winter might do me in, but I’d love to give it a try!). Teresa and I had the wonderful joy and pleasure of living in the Smoky Mountains for a brief stint (18 months), and we both loved every minute we were there. We hiked so many trails, visited so many waterfalls, took in so many sights of each season. We saw such beauty and majesty looking over the valleys far below, or the peaks far above. We heard the thunderous sound of the crashing water as it fell from high above to its destination far below.

We were talking just yesterday about so many memories of those 18 months. Yesterday, as we drove from Lancaster, SC, to Pigeon Forge, TN, we once again drove through the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, enjoying yet again the beauty of that 35-mile drive between Cherokee, NC, and Gatlinburg, TN. We’ve driven this road countless times before, enjoying the beauty of each season. We’ve seen the breathtaking grandeur of the colors of fall, the pristine snow-blanketed serenity of winter, the cold, seemingly lifeless barren trees between winter and spring, the beautiful, bountiful colors of spring as new life bursts forth – I could go on, but hopefully this is enough to show how deeply my love for this small part of God’s creation runs.

But more than speaking of my love for these mountains is my love for the Creator who created such beauty. And why did He do it? I’ve often thought about the fact that God could have created the world in one monotonous color, with one never-ending season, with trees all of the same hue of green, with no variations in terrain, no changing of weather patterns, etc. Yes, He could have created a rather ‘blah’ world. He also could have created humans as automatons – all exactly the same height, weight, hair color, body build, eye color, preferences, etc.

I think we would all probably agree that we would not like to live in a world like that. But again, what prompted God to create things the way they are? I’m sure I can’t answer that question adequately. I admit that His ways are higher than my ways and His thoughts than my thoughts. But I can’t help but believe that He created it the way He did because of His desire to give us a most enjoyable life experience. I believe that God gave us a world that would bring us joy and fulfillment, contentment and satisfaction. After all, He did create a perfect paradise to be home to His first human family. He created a place with an abundance of everything man and woman could ever possibly need to live a perfectly fulfilled life.

Let me get a bit personal. Have you taken time recently to thank Him for this beautiful world He has given us? I can’t help but praise Him when I ride through the towering peaks of the mountains, or see the vast expanse of the ocean, or see the flat lands of the Midwest, or the cornfields of Nebraska, or the grandeur of the Grand Canyon, glacier covered peaks of Montana, or the Badlands of the Dakotas. Yes, creation itself should serve as motivation for praise and worship.

He has given us all things to enjoy, but He has also given us all things to bring us into a state of reverence, gratitude, and thanksgiving as we realize that He did it for our enjoyment. Let’s be sure to take time to pause in the busyness of life to thank Him for the gift of His creation.

Listening to God’s Creation: A Call to Worship

Leave a reply

The world is firmly established; it cannot be shaken. Let the heavens be glad and the earth rejoice, and let them say among the nations, “The Lord is King!” Let the sea and everything in it resound; let the fields and all that is in them exult. Then the trees of the forest will shout for joy before the Lord, for He is coming to judge the earth. 1 Chronicles 16:30-33

It is obvious from these words that King David is overwhelmed by the presence and power of the Lord. This outburst of praise is filled with words of adoration to the Lord, and he is calling all of creation to worship and exalt Him. The occasion for this psalm of thanksgiving is the day the Ark of God is being carried to the city of Jerusalem after having been captured by the Philistines. There was great rejoicing in the city as the Ark, which represented the presence of God, was returned to its rightful place.

I find it very interesting that David calls for creation to be involved in this day of celebration. He refers to the heavens, the earth, the sea and everything in it, the fields, and the trees of the forest, saying they will shout for joy before the Lord. What a powerful way to describe how nature can lead one to worship and praise.

I remember one such occasion from many years ago. I was a student at Fruitland Bible Institute, located in Hendersonville, NC. Teresa and I were living at Chimney Rock while I attended the school. We had heard that there would be an Easter Sunrise Service on Chimney Rock and decided to attend. I remember that it was a cool, clear day as we made our way up the winding road to the parking lot far above the streets below.

I must admit that I don’t remember anything that was said during the time of worship. It wasn’t that I did not listen – I just didn’t hear. Why? Because the words of the preacher were being drowned out by the beauty of God’s creation. The glorious beauty of the panoramic view from the top of Chimney Rock was screaming so loudly that I could “hear” nothing else.

The pastor had completed his message, and he asked everyone to bow for the closing prayer. As much as I hated to close my eyes, I did as the pastor asked. He prayed a beautiful prayer of adoration, praise, and worship of our mighty God, and our Savior, Jesus Christ, whose resurrection we were celebrating on that Easter morning.

When he said “Amen” at the conclusion of his prayer, I opened my eyes to see one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen: the sun was just rising on the horizon. I was mesmerized. Tears of joy began to flow down my cheeks as I once again was enraptured by the “sounds” of creation, speaking much more loudly than the words of the pastor, even though he was speaking through an array of speakers which had been assembled for the occasion. Oh, it wasn’t a voice that you could hear – that is, unless you were listening.

I’m sure I wasn’t the only one listening to creation’s message of praise that beautiful Easter morning atop Chimney Rock, but as far as I was concerned, I was the only one there. I was hypnotized by the message I was hearing. There have been other times when I experienced the message of creation, but none have ever topped the one that day long ago.

Is it important to realize the truth that nature gives testimony to the power and presence of God? The Apostle Paul certainly thought it was. Listen to the words he penned in his letter to the Romans:

For 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. Romans 1:20

Nature is a testimony to God’s invisible attributes! Paul even asserts that no one will be able to stand before God and say that he did not know God existed, because the creation itself bears testimony to His existence and power. The constant, consistent testimony of God’s creation is enough to convince anyone who will “listen” to its voice that there is a Creator, a Designer, a powerful, personal “cause” behind what exists.

Are you listening? Don’t get so caught up in the “voices” of the world that it causes you to miss out on the “voice” of God’s majestic creation. Let it, instead, bring you ever closer to God as you see His presence in the things He has made and given to us to enjoy.

Blessings!