The Spring of the year never fails to remind me that there is a sacred connection between God and nature. It is a connection that cannot be denied because, as people of faith, we can clearly see God's fingerprint on every leaf of every tree, on every blade of grass, in every gentle summer breeze as it whispers through the trees. With our ears of faith, as we feel that breeze, we can almost hear our God's voice softly saying, 'I am here'.
The Apostle Paul in Romans 1:20 tells us what we have already discerned with our own eyes: God's invisible qualities are clearly seen from the things He has created. The things we see in the physical world- everything from the Grand Canyon to the flight of a small, delicate hummingbird- are a silent testimony to the existence of a Creator.
Just as I cannot deny my son because of his appearance, his personality and even his mannerisms which reflect mine, our heavenly Father's creation reflects the type of God he is. It reveals his personality just as assuredly as a work of art reflects the personality of the artist who created it. God speaks volumes to us without uttering a single word. We see His sense of humor in the playfulness of a puppy. We see His kindness in the care of a mother cat for her kittens. A beautiful mountain view speaks of His majesty. His dignity is reflected in a pride of lions. His power is shown at Niagara Falls or in the waves of the ocean as they crash down onto the beach. The quiet and serenity of the forest mirrors the serenity of the very presence of our God.
Since there is a sacred connection between God and Nature, it stands to reason that there should also be a sacred connection between a Christian and nature. Taking the time to be alone in nature is a precious opportunity for us to commune with the living God. Spending even a single hour of solitude in the forest or in any quiet outdoor setting allows us to walk into the very presence of the Almighty. There we can have a closeness with God that is unlike any other.
As you enter into His outdoor Cathedral you step out of the hustle and bustle of civilization. As you walk just a few steps into the woods, you can immediately notice the noise of the 'pseudo world' that man has created for himself begin to fade. The sound of traffic begins to disappear and, with it, the sounds inside of your mind begin to calm down. You stop worrying about the deadline you are working on at your job. The list of chores you have for the house seems suddenly unimportant.
It is no coincidence that, as you step into God's natural world, the mundane things of life are put back in their proper place. You have entered a peaceful and quiet 'room'. As the noises of civilization fade, you begin to hear God's noises. The chirp of the birds, the noises of a scurrying squirrel, the slight breeze blowing through the trees. God has set the stage, as it were, created the ambiance for an intimate moment with Him.
Sadly, most humans never take the time to speak with their Creator in a setting like this. They never walk a sandy beach while talking to Him about their life, their worries, or their fears amidst the repeated crashing of the waves on a deserted shore. They never sample even a small taste of the spiritual banquet that God has offered each of us, if only we would sit down and pull our chair up to the table.
So don't let this beautiful time of year pass you by without accepting God's personal invitation to spend some quality alone-time with the Creator of this beautiful blue jewel that floats through the universe-the earth that he created just for you and I.