God's Beautiful Creation

Chuckle: A new bride cooked her first meal for her husband. “My mother taught me to cook, and I can cook two things well – apple pie and meatloaf.” The husband took a bite of his supper and asked, “And which one is this?”

Quote: “All created things are living in the Hand of God. The senses see only the action of the creatures; but faith sees in everything the action of God.” –Jean-Pierre de Caussade SJ

This is what God the LORD says – he who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and all that comes out of it, who gives breath to its people and life to those who walk in it: “I, the LORD, have called you righteous. I will take hold of your hand” (Isaiah 42:5-6 NIV).

Picture with me, in your mind’s eye, a beautiful crystal-clear mountain stream (Bear Creek) flowing along a 200-feet high cliff on one side and fertile level bottom land on the other. Listen to the gurgling sounds as the water flows over the gravel shoals. Listen to the sounds and smells of mowers cutting hay on the bottom land. As you stand knee-deep in the cool water at the edge of this beautiful pristine stream casting a lure into the deep blue holes of water, your mind goes back seventy years to when you were a teenager and your family lived in this area. You remember playing in this your favorite swimming hole. You have always loved this place but, as a teenager, you tended to take for granted the pristine beauty of this truly wonderful place.

The above describes what I saw the last time Dotse and I visited with my brother and wife in the beautifully mountainous Ozarks of Northwest Arkansas where I grew up. In many ways, it was a true worship experience for me as my memories allowed me to relive experiences of long ago. The beauty and complexities of God’s creation came rushing anew into my awareness and ignited a new and deeper appreciation for our God and His magnificent creation. We are reminded in Scripture of the message conveyed to us through God’s creation. Listen!

“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 1:20 NIV).

God’s general revelation through creation reveals a God of power, intelligence, and intricate detail; a God of order and beauty; a God who controls powerful forces far beyond our ability to fully comprehend. However, it was not until we had the Bible describing the coming of Jesus Christ that we could fully understand God’s special revelation of Himself, including the dimensions of His love, grace, and mercy. The Creator of the universe made it possible for us to experience His forgiveness of sin and His promise of eternal life through faith in His Son, Jesus.

Wherever you are today, I encourage you to step back and take a fresh look at God’s creation and marvel at the power, majesty, and handiwork of the God we serve. Also, reflect on Jesus’ role in creation. “Through him (Jesus) all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made” (John 1:3 NIV).

Love, Jerry & Dotse