What Nature Tells Us about God - The Crosswalk Devotional - May 19
What Nature Tells Us about God
By Aaron D’Anthony Brown
Bible Reading:
“Consider the ravens: They don’t sow or reap; they don’t have a storeroom or a barn; yet God feeds them. Aren’t you worth much more than the birds?” (Luke 12:24)
If someone were to tell you nature says a lot about God, you probably would agree. At face value, the claim seems true. However, if someone were to ask you what nature says about the Creator precisely, that answer would require greater reflection. We spend so much of our days with our eyes embedded in our phones or other devices. We often neglect the beauty of all around us: the verdant trees, soft dirt, gentle breeze, and pretty animals. If we were to notice those things, we would start to see God in a different light.
Not just as our Creator, but the Creator. Not just as our provider, but also as the provider.
Sometimes, in a believer’s life, God appears to be far away, while our troubles feel so near. In those moments, we need to remind ourselves of who God is. Studying God’s Word is one way, but observing His creations is another. We don’t always see Him at work in our lives, but when we look at nature, not seeing Him is much harder.
How do the birds find sustenance day to day? How does the grass survive? Why does the Earth continue to exist?
There are a few different lessons we can learn from nature.
Nature reflects God’s love.
Psalm 139 clarifies that God took intricate care to craft us in our mother’s womb. He knows the length of our days and the number of hairs on our heads. Every moment of our lives has been planned out before we live a single day. While we can find those truths in Scripture, they don’t always seem believable. God’s provision and care don’t always feel real, but if He can care for the neighborhood squirrel, why would he not take care of us?
Bad things certainly happen occasionally, and animals are not exempt from that. However, God’s love can be seen even in the worst times if we look closely.
Nature reveals God’s creativity.
No matter where you fall on the evolution vs. creationism debate, we can all agree that nature exemplifies God’s creativity. There is a mammal that lays eggs, animals that shed their skin, and primates that can imitate human actions. Wherever you look, there are many different biomes that feature many different types of creatures. High and low, we can witness the creative genius of the Lord.
Nature proves God’s sovereignty.
Animals are born and die every day. Some beasts work to survive by migrating, hunting, and living in groups. Their lives are much more eventful in terms of life or death than ours. Nonetheless, God has programmed every one of them for survival. He has equipped them for their environment and made some adaptable to new environments. He oversees their populations and the weather. God is in charge of it all. Why would that not also apply to us?
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Now that we better understand what nature says about God, we should figure out how to incorporate that knowledge into our daily lives. Here are a few ways to get outside and see more of God.
Go for walks outside.
The best way to see nature is to be in nature. Go for a walk in the woods, a local park, or even your neighborhood. You’re bound to come across an animal of some shape or size. Think about how God provides for that creature. Then remind yourself that He loves you so much more.
Draw inspiration from nature.
The trees, the rocks, the animals, everything outside can serve as a muse. Not just artistic inspiration, but spiritual inspiration too. Let God’s love for creation remind you of His love for humanity. He sent His son to die for people just like you.
Find peace.
You may not know this yet, but there’s much peace of mind to be found when we ditch the screens, even temporarily. If you want to connect with God, spend time with him in solitude, and with that solitude, in nature. Think of how Adam and Eve could walk so effortlessly in the presence of God while in the garden. You can imagine how much peace they found walking in creation with the Creator.
Further Reading:
Psalm 139:13-14
Genesis 1:27
Colossians 1:16
Photo Credit: ©Unsplash/ Ümit Bulut
Get in touch with him at aarondanthony.com and check out his debut short story anthology Honey Dreams on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
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