“For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.” (Romans 1:20)
It is hard to believe we are starting the month of June, longtime favorite for weddings, and students celebrating their first full month out of school. But I must say with Kentucky weather, I wouldn’t mind May hanging around a bit longer. May is an invigorating spiritual engine spurring the life cycle to new heights, awakening the soul with scenes of trees leafy new foliage and grass painted a spectacular and brilliant green.
The English writer often referred to as the “prince of paradox”, G.K. Chesterton writes; “Isn’t it absolutely marvelous, he asks, that God made grass green? It could have been any other color, but he chose green, and how perfect is that?”
We truly are the benefactors of this “perfect” color as green represents growth, prosperity, health and new life. The animal kingdom sees green as their perfect food, nourished by new grass, days spent grazing to their stomachs’ content. Gazing from my deck, it is such a peaceful experience as horses, cows, and deer, enjoy food specifically designed for them.
While it is no surprise, God certainly knew what he was doing when he created grass to feed the animals, and providing a soft, luscious landscape for us to enjoy. My husband probably would enjoy it a little more if it didn’t require every waking moment from late March till November mowing. But even while mowing, he sees how God’s amazing plan and provision is in place. As he mows around the lake, the trimmings fly into the water turning insects living in the grass into food for the fish living in the lake. His perfectly planned circle of life is amazing!
God constantly speaks to us through nature; our senses, hearts, and minds are enveloped by His wonder and majesty. Whether it’s a cool barefoot walk on the beach, hiking a wilderness path on a mountain, walking in a flowering garden enjoying the wildflowers and butterflies, or capturing the breathtaking beauty of His sunset, it is almost impossible to miss the physical and spiritual nature of God. It is like God has written his story everywhere we look.
“The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak, night after night they make him known.” (Psalm 19:1-2)
God’s nature can also be seen in his written Word. His Word shows us the way to be transformed into his likeness, and divine nature, as we spiritually mature, grow in grace, and joyfully live out His love. In Psalms 19: 7 and 8 David explains, “God’s Word is perfect in every way; how it revives our souls! His laws lead to truth, and his ways change the simple into wise. His teachings make us joyful and radiate his light; his precepts are so pure!”
David continues to describe the value of God’s Word to his life in Psalms 19:10, “The rarest treasures of life are found in his truth. That’s why I prize God’s Word like others prize the finest gold. Nothing brings the soul such sweetness as seeking his living words.”
It is easy to see the nature of God in a beautiful sunset, or a wilderness waterfall, but how about in his people? Are we radiating his light, or making a joyful noise in the chaos of the world? Maybe our question should be, “how do we begin to demonstrate the nature of God on our daily walk?”
Many of us ride the wave, the ebb and flow of emotions, allowing daily circumstances to impact our Christian impact on others. It is so easy to become part of the crowd, responding with emotions instead of God’s intended divine nature. In Second Peter 1:3-10 growing and maturing our faith is explained, “By his divine power, God given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.”
“In view of this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, brotherly affection with love for everyone.”
“The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.”
“So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things and never fall away.”
If we turn our attention, and recognize God in all our ways, He will take care of every detail of our life. His written Word promises it to the lilies of the field, and he says we are of much greater value than lilies. If we will stop worrying about pleasing others, or making a name for ourselves, and become focused on pleasing Him through obedience, God’s divine nature will rise in us like a bright new day. As we spring forward in spiritual maturity we are easily recognized by our self-control, moral excellence, patience and love. When we are obedient and pliable, our creator molds us piece by piece, and because of Jesus, we become His masterpiece.
There is no greater beauty in nature than a life transformed by the nature of God.