You put gushing springs into dry riverbeds.
They flow between the mountains, providing water for every wild animal—the wild donkeys quench their thirst.
Overhead, the birds in the sky make their home, chirping loudly in the trees.
From your lofty house, you water the mountains.
The earth is filled full by the fruit of what you’ve done.
You make grass grow for cattle; you make plants for human farming in order to get food from the ground,
Lord, you have done so many things!
You made them all so wisely!
The earth is full of your creations!
And then there’s the sea, wide and deep, with its countless creatures—living things both small and large.
Let the Lord’s glory last forever!
Let the Lord rejoice in all he has made!
– Psalm 104:10-14, 24-25, 31
As I write, it’s spring in Kentucky! Trees and flowers are blooming and beautiful! Baby horses (foals) are being born and running through pastures. The sky is blue, the grass is green and everything seems to be waking up from a gray chilly winter. Cool breezes brush against my face, all while being warmed by the sun.
It’s truly a life-giving time of year. I love being outside and seeing all the beauty awakening, the new life blossoming and taking its first steps into this great, complex majestic creation. I have always found peace and strength in creation. Being outside often draws me closer to God as I find that God reveals God’s self to me through Creation.
Anytime I can be in the mountains, I see the character of God through God’s creation. The majestic mountains, giant trees and wide-open skies remind me of God’s power, of God’s all encompassing “hugeness!” That no matter what I’m going through or experiencing, God is big enough and strong enough to walk with me.
In the winter months, I have watched snowflakes drift down and land on my jacket and I notice the intricate detail of each individual flake. I see the birds and animals roaming with their unique markings and patterns. All are evidence to me that God cares deeply about the smallest details of my life as well. God creates beauty and purpose. God knows me. God walks with me and wants to know the most intimate and complex details of my life. God’s care and design of the many patterns and colors used in creation—from the wings of birds to the petals of the flowers and the varied design of snowflakes—demonstrate to me God’s intention to know me and be involved in my life.
When I go to the beach, it’s the same. The wideness and depth of the ocean; the brilliance of the sunrise and sunset; the majesty of dolphins rising with the waves and the tiny intricate details of every shell and every grain of sand. All remind me that God is paying attention and involved in every aspect of God’s unbelievable creation.
While I love spring and the newness and life that comes every spring, it’s clearly not the only time I see and experience God in nature. It’s just a beautiful reminder that God continues to work in creation and in my life. God reveals God’s self through God’s creation every day in large and small ways, reminding me to breathe deeply, to love deeply, including loving myself, and to work to help others experience the life-giving sustenance that comes from being part of God’s wonderful, complex creation!
Prayer, Practice, Ponder
Find some time today to go outside. If you have time, go for a walk, or just take a few minutes and sit outside. Take deep breaths. Close your eyes and listen. What do you hear? Breathe deeply. Open your eyes. What do you see? Look closely, deeply into the world around you. Do you see something new? Notice the various colors around you? Look for God in the small and large wonderful things around you. Take a deep breath and focus on God’s care for you. How can you extend that care to others today?
Pray...Give...Go.
