“For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature —have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” Romans 1:20 (NIV)

Ocean cabana or mountain cabin?

This was one of the questions in a great little book I bought for a summer road trip from Arizona to Wyoming and back. The book is called "Coke or Pepsi?" and it is filled with discussion starters. The ocean or mountain question was posed somewhere on Interstate 15 in Utah.

One by one, my family answered: "ocean" "ocean" "ocean," and so on. I knew their answers before they spoke because they love the ocean. I do too. But when the question turned to me, I answered “mountain cabin.”

For as long as I can remember, mountains have brought me peace. Growing up in a valley, I've been hemmed in by mountains all my life. They give me a sense of security, and their beauty delights my senses. Take some mountains, add a flower-strewn meadow and a stream winding somewhere in the midst of it, and that’s my version of ultimate beauty in all of God’s creation.

Part of our recent vacation was to the Grand Tetons. As I stood in front of these unbelievable mountains, I just gaped. They are a 40-mile-long section of the Rockies with a series of soaring peaks side by side. Their proximity to each other, and the fact that they have no foothills, creates an imposing sight. Snow still frosts the tops in the middle of summer, and the snowmelt made for numerous small waterfalls cascading down the sides and spilling into stunning lakes.

Descriptive words danced in my head as I looked at those soaring peaks: Dependable, unchanging, strong, awesome and beautiful. Those words not only describe the Tetons, they sound a lot like characteristics of God!

After reading Romans 12:1, I’m confident that one of God’s goals when He created mountains was to reveal Himself in creation to creation: “For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature— have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.”

It still amazes me that God chooses to reveal Himself to me in so many ways. He really wants me to know Him. So in addition to sending Jesus, and having the Bible written, He has designed this world intentionally so we can know Him better. The wonder of God’s creation is that, no matter if we love to look at mountains or oceans, everyone can see a glimpse of God’s invisible qualities. We just have to see with new eyes.

So while my family enjoys the majesty, strength and depth of the oceans (and God), I’ll snuggle in close to the mountains and rest in the shadow of their mighty power (and God’s).

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for giving me such a beautiful world to live in. As I look at Your creation, please help me to see Your power and character revealed. Open my eyes and heart to know You better. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

***

Related Resources:

Do You Know Him?

The Air I Breathe by Louie Giglio

Worship: Nearing the Heart of God by Brian T. Anderson & Glynnis Whitwer

Discerning the Voice of God by Priscilla Shirer

Application Steps:

Identify your favorite place in nature. List three characteristics of God you can learn from this place.

Reflections:

Why would God choose to reveal Himself to us through creation?

How does creation reveal God’s power and divine nature?

What happens when we miss seeing God revealed in His creation?

Power Verses:

Psalm 121:1, “I lift up my eyes to the hills— where does my help come from?” (NIV)

1 Chronicles 29:11, “Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all.” (NIV)

Ecclesiastes 3:11, “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” (NIV)

© 2008 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.