Every morning when I wake up, I look out the large window across from my bed and witness the day begin. When I’m up early enough, I can catch the first glow of dawn as the sky reveals a bright, warm red with an intensity that gently fades as the light spreads across the sky. I hear the birds chirping. I see the squirrels running about the trees in excitement and curiosity. I embrace the calmness of those early hours as I enter my quiet time with God.
On rainy days, that same window allows me to observe as God cleanses His earth. Have you ever noticed how relaxing the sound of rain is? Where I live, it blocks out the noise of the city and allows me to tune into His presence. Rain has a way of way of stopping things in their tracks. On summer days, when rain clouds fill the sky suddenly and a downpour ensues, you can find many people running for shelter, shifting their focus from whatever they were preoccupied with just moments before. Often, in those moments people become observant of the sky, waiting for a clearing of the droplets in order to resume their activities.
Nature is described as elements of the physical world that exist independent of human contribution. From the beginning, nature flourished with purpose before we entered the picture. Even now, during this pandemic, the earth has begun showing signs of healing in response to the removal of our interference. How amazing is that!? David understood how wonderful God’s creation is and he expressed it in a song. Psalm 19 begins with a description of the heavens as a representation of nature’s worship of God:
1 The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
The skies display his craftsmanship.
2 Day after day they continue to speak;
night after night they make him known.
3 They speak without a sound or word;
their voice is never heard.
4 Yet their message has gone throughout the earth,
and their words to all the world.
– Psalm 19:1-4a NLT –
Do you ever look up to the sky and try to take in just how vast the universe is? It’s overwhelming isn’t it? If you’re anything like me, your desire for travel is probably driven by an interest in witnessing the diversity of God’s handiwork up close and personal. One of my favorite places to visit is the beach. There is something special about standing at the water’s edge while peering out onto the horizon as the sun begins to set. The colors. The way the sky appears to sit on top of the water as it reflects the various hues. The gentle breeze that blows past your skin, reminding you that the experience is as real as any other. It’s breathtaking. In moments like those, I am filled with awe and gratitude towards the Creator of the universe who pays attention to every intricate detail of how His design comes together.
Here are a few songs that express a similar feeling of gratitude for the artistry of God:
- So I Will (100 Billion X) – Hillsong Worship
- Maker of the Moon – Elle Limebear
Photo by Jordan Wozniak on Unsplash
Words For The Temple 