The Call of Creation

"But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds of the sky, and they will tell you."

Job 12:7

God's creation is a sight to behold. If your eyes have been open to His love, you will look at everything with a different perspective. It will be amazing to your eyes.

I certainly have experienced it on my early morning drives, Down dirt roads, listening to nature wake up, being alone with God and His creation.

I love finding the little ones!

Recently I read a short devotion on Emily Dickinson, American poet in the 1800s, in The One Year Women in Christian History Devotional by Randy Peterson and Robin Streeves.

The devotional focused on Emily's remark: "Some keep the Sabbath going to church; I do church at home, outside in nature." The writers wrote: "She (Emily) says her chorister, what we would call a choir member; is a small blackbird called a bobolink. An orchard is her worship space. Emily, it seems, was enjoying a worship service in nature. Not that she was worshipping nature; rather, she found nature a perfect place to commune with and learn about God."

Familiar to us is the Scripture verse: And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24-25

It is important to meet together on a regular basis. Worshiping with other Christians is an essential part of the Christian life. But I am well aware that things happen in your life when attending church brings sadness and hurt.

In earlier years I had a period of time when I didn't attend church. It was during a very heartbreaking and emotionally draining period in my life. I was fortunate that at the time I worked at the Baptist Convention and was surrounded by Christians each day. We met for prayer and messages each month. I wasn't absent from Christians, and I participated in fellowship and encouragement each day.

Not attending church didn't mean I'd abandoned my faith, or I was out of touch with God. I still had daily devotions, used the gift God gave me to encourage others and sang hymns, especially my "Melody of Hymns."

One thing I didn't do is put myself down as a bad person. I didn't say, "You're a Christian, Carol, get your act together." I was secure in my faith and relationship with God. I wasn't angry with Him. I wasn't mad at Him. I was trying to work my way through a period of brokenness. But I was hurting so bad I couldn't force myself to attend church and be around happy families.

We finally started attending once again, at Jerry's request, and I have been attending ever since.

I would sit in my backyard each evening and listen to the sounds. I know that God speaks through all creation. He brought healing to me and made me a stronger person.

I don't recommend not going to church. But I know things happen in our lives when a time of healing and repair is needed. During those times, nature can bring healing because God is in nature, created all of nature, and presents it to us for cheer and admiration of Him.

God's creation is a sight to behold. If you haven't spent any time outside enjoying and admiring God's nature, you need to take a walk with God and let His creation open your eyes.

"Does not all nature around me praise God? If I was silent, I should be an exception to the universe. Does not the thunder praise Him as it rolls like drums in the march of the God of armies? Do not the mountains praise Him when the woods upon their summits wave in adoration? Does not the lightning write His name in letters of fire? Has not the whole earth a voice? And shall I, can I, silent be?"

Charles Haddon Surgeon, 1834-1892

By His Grace . . .