I just finished reading one of my favorite passages in the Bible. Job 38 and 39 when God tells Job "brace yourself like a man, I will speak to you and you will answer" God then proceeds to "lay the wood" on Job. He goes on and on about his amazing power and speaks rather sarcastically to Job about the fact that he doesn't compare to God's wisdom and power. At the very end of chapter 38 and all of 39, he shifts gears and becomes rather compassionate and passionate. The object of his compassion however, is nature. Several times in chapter 38 he makes birth references when talking about nature. It's as if His creation is his offspring and in chapter 39, he is quite proud of his offspring. He begins talking about taking care of lion cubs and young ravens in their hunger, then he talks about the mountain goat. These few verses have always been very tender to me. He makes it known that His presence is present at the birth of a baby mountain goat in the deep crags of a mountain. That he knows the due date and counts down the months like an expecting Father. I've always been humbled by the fact that he loves me even more than that mountain goat which receives so much of his attention.
He then goes on to brag about the independence of the donkey, the strength and stubborness of the ox, the speed of the ostrich, the bravery of the horse and the superiority of the eagle. God is quite proud of his creation. I think it's important to him that we take care of it. In chapter 31:38-40, Job says that if he had indeed neglected the care of the earth, then he would be deserving of his "punishment". Often times we tend to forget about the beauty of his creation and the fact that he is proud of it and wants us to enjoy it.
I've been reading "The Reagan Diaries" and was moved by an entry he posted on one particular Sunday. He was feeling guilty that he was unable to attend church due to the security problems posed after being shot. He and Nancy spent the day horeseback riding in the woods at Camp David and his entry read: "I hope God realizes how much I feel that I am in a temple when I'm in his beautiful forest and countryside"
I have to think this statement by Reagan put a smile on God's face. After all, what parent doesn't enjoy a compliment about his offspring?
When was the last time you enjoyed God's nature? Let me know about the experience and what you most enjoyed about it.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
God, nature and Ronald Reagan
Posted by Heath at 8:57 PM
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2 comments:
I enjoy God's nature with every sunset and on the rarest of occasions sunrise, that I get the pleasure of watching. I always imagine God painting the colors across the sky just for us. Just because He loves us so. Those are the times that I feel Him speaking and saying "Slow down and rest in Me." Often times we go throughout our days worried about getting everything on our list done. As we reflect upon the spread of glorious colors across the sky we can just remember that our Creator is there for us.
I also love to watch the colors of Fall change during the season. It is another one of God's masterpieces.
Living in the northeast after spending most of my life in the deep south give me an appreciation of nature like never before. I so enjoy the distinctiveness of the 4 seasons. I'm also really into star gazing, which is great to do with the family - spread out a blanket (lather up with bug spray) and try to pick out constellations. My kids come up with their own. Among nature, I think we have a chance to enjoy God's presence in particular ways. Like the line in the Amazing Grace movie when Wilburforce prays something to the effect of 'Lord, I feel closer to you when I'm out here' (in his gardens).
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