The Beauty Of It All
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.
Yes, they knew God, but they wouldn’t worship him as God or even give him thanks. And they began to think up foolish ideas of what God was like. As a result, their minds became dark and confused. Romans 1:20-21
“Whatever happened to John Mayer,” I asked myself. For those unfamiliar, he was a highly popular musician who garnered significant attention at the beginning of the century. It felt like yesterday when I discovered his music and the brilliance of his song writing. It is surprising to realize that this period was over twenty years ago, and his recent albums have received relatively little attention. However, a news show playing one of his songs this morning reminded me of how good he was back then. The best thing about it was the song of his I had not heard before, and it felt like a discovered treasure both amazing and beautiful in all its splendor. This served as a reminder to take time to pause and take in the beauty of things.
In today's fast-paced world, it can be challenging to find the time to pause and reflect on the things around us. Yes, even going to church or a Bible study can seem like it is not a time to embrace God or to get in touch with Him. Instead, it is much like a checkmark on a To Do list. For example, saying "I need to attend the church this Sunday because I missed last Sunday" can be rephrased as "I need to attend church this Sunday because I want a deeper connection with Jesus Christ." It is a subtle but incredibly important change of thought because one is a task while the other is a feeling.
Connecting with God is an essential part of spiritual growth. Today’s verses focus on the understanding of all God has created both visible and spiritual. It is also a warning for those who are losing their way from Him. They sound ‘foolish’ and become ‘confused.’ This is not to say that even the wisest Christ follower can become a bit lost. However, the difference is they know the path to God is to acknowledge those things which are His. That means pretty much everything. One could harken back to a song from my childhood that says everything is beautiful in its own way. The point being is that if we acknowledge that we are created in the image of God, there is beauty in all things. I will not try to call the Devil beautiful, but if we stretch its meaning, we can acknowledge his existence helps to know the difference between that which is and is not of God. Thus, having the simple consciousness of God in all things is important. Acknowledging God's power and divine nature helps us stay focused on what matters to Him, whether in a simple song or recovering from surgery.
It is essential to pause and take in the beauty of God's creation that surrounds us. Each sunrise, the rustling of leaves, and even the melody of a song serves as reminders of His eternal power and divine nature. These moments are not just fleeting glimpses of beauty. They are opportunities to connect with the Creator and deepen our spiritual growth. By acknowledging the wonders of the world around us, we open our hearts to a greater understanding of God's presence in our lives. Let us strive to see His hand in all things, allowing His creation to inspire us, guide us, and draw us closer to Him. What moments may have disconnected you from God and how can I use the beauty of His creation to find my way back? What ways can I encourage others to see and appreciate the beauty of God’s creation? My prayer is that we keep are eyes fixed on Jesus Christ to see the beauty of it all. Amen.