Spring is upon us and all around is new life. Just a few weeks ago piglets were born on our sons’ farm. There is a fawn in the area and tulips and cherry blossoms are everywhere. In some provinces the crocuses are poking their heads out of snow, and in others the hills are covered in daffodils. It is so true that creation shouts that there is a Creator; the creativity, the design, the ever-renewing cycle of life from death. The sights, the smells, the amazing colours and textures all around us make one stop and think that what God said in Romans 1 is so true. “…what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 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 people are without excuse.” (Romans 1:19-20) It is clear when we look at the new life around us, the variety of life around us, that there is a Divine Creator behind it all. Some may choose to disagree, but it takes a smaller leap of faith than believing that with the roll of a die, (after enough tries), man would appear. After all, how many of you rush to the window during a snowstorm to see a snowman randomly appear; and that is a snowman that can’t walk or talk or reproduce. God’s Word makes it clear: His eternal power and Divine nature can be clearly seen, and as a result, we are without excuse.
Jess and I went for a walk around the lake last week. We saw fish and ducks and I don’t know how many varieties of flowers and shrubs and trees. There was so much. It smelled so pure and so good, and both of us found our spirits lifted as a result of just silently walking along in nature and taking in the beauty of our surroundings.
God has given us a beautiful and wonderful world. The world of nature is so bountiful we will never exhaust it’s wonders and surprises. In the Bible, the psalmist looks to the beauty and majesty of the mountains around him and instead of praising ‘mother Earth,’ he puts it all in perspective. “I lift up my eyes to the hills– where my help comes from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. Indeed, He who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.” (Psalm 121:1) Despite its cathartic effect, it is not from nature that we find our strength and our health but from the Creator of nature. The psalmist looks to the beauty around and acknowledges that it is the Lord of Heaven and Earth from whom our help comes; a loving God who created such a wonderful and welcoming environment in which we can thrive.
This week may we see Him in the beauty of the buds and blossoms. May we hear His voice in the bubbling brook and the warbling robin. May we look to the hills and know without a doubt that our help comes from the Maker of all this beauty. It was the garden He created. It was the place He put Adam and Eve and told them to care for the work of His hands and to have life abundantly. It is the place we feel closest to God because He made it all for you and for me. It is the beauty that testifies to the heart and love of a generous God, the Giver of life.
Just look around. Take a deep breath and feast with your eyes. We are without excuse. With such a wonderous gift may we truly give glory where the glory is due.
Our song for today is Holy Forever by Chris Tomlin.