Nature

Nature's beauty is only surpassed by God's glory.  There are places in this world that inspire thoughts of awe and wonder.  I remember the first time I saw Bryce Canyon National Park (Utah) on a high school missions trip.  I slowly walked toward the ridge overlooking the canyon which has become so famous for it's free standing spires and rock formations.  I stared across the expanse and watched the sun rise over the red, yellow and white washed sand that covered the terrain.  Isn't it incredible to see something that is incomparable with everyday sights.  Maybe it's that tall skyscraper, green valley, or beach just outside your door that embraces your senses.  Nature is what God intended it to be; it is what he intended you and I to be as well, great.

Genesis 1

 ¹ In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. ² Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
 ³ And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. ⁴ God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. ⁵ God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.

God brings us this same glory day in and day out, yet not everyone sees the beauty and glory of this world as His creation.  Some scientists and skeptics would say that this world "just happened", or maybe it was created by some cosmic explosion and formation over millions of years.  I would say to each his own, however, there is no other explanation than our Earth and everything in it was created by God. 

John 1: verse 3

  ³ Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. ⁴ In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. ⁵ The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

I used to find it so hard to embrace the idea that God created everything that I saw, everyone I met, and everything around me.  There was no way one guy did all this?!  Well therein lies the answer, God is not just a guy.  There are things in my life that have happened and things that I have seen that could not have possibly happened by chance, or by any other means.  Trusting that God has your back day in and day out is a part of this faith/trust factor that goes hand in hand with the landscapes that surround us day in and day out.  If God is great enough to create all of what you see, feel, hear, touch and smell, then why question His ability to carry you in your darkest hour?  My wife can attest to the fact that I used to be a huge worrisome mess when it came to life.  Trusting god was the hardest thing I ever did, but I have no regrets.  God isn't a crumbling piece of rock that breaks a part in bad weather, and he sure isn't the drug or alcohol using abusive parent that just really wasn't there in life.  God is what you let Him be in your own life.  If you place Him at the forefront of your priorities and issues then you have the brightest light in this entire world to guide you.  Next time as you gaze upon the splendor of nature think of the one who created it for you to enjoy.

Proverbs 3: verses 5-6

⁵ Trust in the LORD with all your heart
   and lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ in all your ways submit to him,
   and he will make your paths straight.