If you watch television, you’ve probably seen the Cialis ads in which a couple is doing a mundane household chore together when the mood suddenly becomes intimate and romantic, and the indoor setting is morphed into several beautiful outdoor scenes of nature. I recently had a Cialis moment—of sorts.
I was washing dishes in my kitchen sink when my attention was suddenly drawn to the orchid plant sitting on the bay window above the sink. Even though I had daily seen that plant over several weeks since it first bloomed, I was mesmerized that day by the complexity of the design, structure, color, and beauty of the six flowers on their tall, slender stem.
As I observed the details of this gorgeous orchid plant, I thought, “This is no accident of nature. There is a divine designer behind creation!”
And with that reaffirmation of faith in God as creator, I was suddenly filled with a sense of awe and reverence for God, so much so that I was emotionally moved to tears as my mind’s focus morphed from the orchid to a sweeping mosaic view of God’s wider creation.
After finishing the dishes, I slipped out into our English-style garden designed by my wife, Diana, and wandered among the many variety of floral species, each as uniquely beautiful as the orchid, and I began to worship God in prayerful praise.
Sitting in the garden with my Bible, I was inspired by these passages about the majesty of God the creator:
• Psalm 8 reminded me that the glory of God fills all creation and that God cares for his most valuable creation—people:
O Lord, our Lord, the majesty of your name fills the earth!
Your glory is higher than the heavens…
When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—
the moon and the stars you have set in place—
what are mortals that you should think of us,
mere humans that you should care for us?
(8:1, 3, 4; New Living Translation, NLT)
• Psalm 19 declared that both God’s creation and his law speak to us and reveal his greatness:
The heavens tell of the glory of God.
The skies display his marvelous craftsmanship.
Day after day they continue to speak;
night after night they make him known.
They speak without a sound or a word;
their voice is silent in the skies;
Yet their message has gone out to all the earth,
And their words to all the world. (19:1-4, NLT; also verses 7-11)
• From Psalm 104 I learned that we should rejoice in God, for he not only creates, but he sustains his creation:
O Lord, what a variety of things you have made!
In wisdom you have made them all.
The earth is full of your creatures….
Every one of these depends on you
to give them their food as they need it.
When you supply it, they gather it.
You open your hand to feed them, and they are satisfied.
(104:24,27,28, NLT)
And I was also reminded that in the midst of this wonderful manifestation of God’s creation, we should not take life for granted:
• Job 14:1-2—“How frail is humanity! How short is life! Like a flower, we blossom for a moment and then wither. Like the shadow of a passing cloud, we quickly disappear.” (NLT)
• Isaiah 40:6b-8—“…people are like grass that dies away. Their beauty fades quickly as the beauty of flowers in a field. The grass withers, and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.” (NLT)
• Psalm 103:15, 16—“Our days on earth are like grass; like wildflowers, we bloom and die. The wind blows, and we are gone—as though we had never been here.” (NLT)
Far from deflating my spirit of worshipful praise, these last three passages filled me with deep appreciation for the gift of life that each day brings, and they intensified within me a desire to live more fully, more creatively, and more passionately.
For unlike flowers with their beautiful but brief life span, God created us not only for a temporary life on earth but a more joyful and magnificent eternal life with him in heaven, “For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down—when we die and leave these bodies—we will have a home in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands.” (2 Cor. 5:1, NLT)
And so with those reminders and fresh insight into the nature and creative deeds of our heavenly Father, I recommitted myself to worshipful service to him, echoing the psalmist’s benediction:
May the glory of the Lord last forever!
The Lord rejoices in all that he has made!
I will sing to the Lord as long as I live.
I will praise my God to my last breath!
May he be pleased by all these thoughts about him,
for I rejoice in the Lord….
I will praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord! (104:31, 33, 34, 35b, NLT)
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Meditative places in our garden. Click images to enlarge.
God’s creation is something that so many people take for granted. Or worse, they get wrapped up in worshipping the creation instead of the One who created all there is. For without God we would not have such wondrous beauty to gaze upon with a smile as we do even the most mundane of tasks. I think that’s why I love to go for quiet walks in quiet places so that I can be with God as He shows me all He has made for His glory. And He is loving enough to share that beauty with us each and everyday. Never should we close our eyes for but a second.
BTW — Your garden looks lovely! I can see why you would feel close to God sitting amongst what He has given you. God bless!
There is something special about noticing God’s creation after looking at it for a long time without really seeing it. I’m guilty of not doing it enough. Thanks for the article.
Spot on and well written!
Thanks!
I love it when God gives me an intimate moment with Him like this! Your garden is amazing!! Thanks for sharing your moment with Him with us. You’ve given me a hunger to seek Him in the everyday.
I know exactly what you mean. Whenever I want to hear clearly from the Lord I go outside. I would sit amongst the trees or at the waters edge and soak up nature. Thank you for sharing your garden with us. It is beautiful.
Beautiful garden. All it takes to know the reality of God is to look at His creation. The accident theory is impossible. Great post.
🙂 I really like all the bible verses you quoted, psalm 8 especially. Nature often points me to God too. Btw your garden looks magical 😉
Well written and brilliant observation!!! It is amazing how God reveals himself thru nature. One morning as I took my dog for a walk, our walks become prayer talks. I noticed a rose bush. I was feeling a little down that particular morning. As I looked at the roses all in different stages ranging from buds, to newly opened, to full bloom, to withering away and missing petals on the ground. I realized the message for me was that all things have a season and time line. As one phase of my life was closing a new “bud” would be able to open soon. What a comfort that beautiful rose bush became to me. Always look forward to the new blossoms in my life and let the withered chapters close as they must. Life is forward motion it seems.
It amazes me the various ways in which God speaks to us–flowers, thunderstorms, sunsets, prayer, but mostly through His Word. Your article is as beautifully written as your lovely garden and it has blessed me!
What a spectacular garden. Psalm 8 was read and expanded upon at my stepmom’s memorial service, and it was perfect. I enjoy your writings, and thank you for subscribing to my blog. I will try to get back here more often.
I built a glider bench that I put on our porch. Now that the weather is warmer, I like to go out there all by myself for 10-20 minutes and see/hear God. It reminds of the scripture, “Be still and know that I am God”.
Each time I do this, I come away with a sense of His peace and an appreciation for the day He’s given me. This is the day the Lord has made. I choose to rejoice and be glad in it!
What a beautiful post, and garden! It looks like the perfect place for prayer and worship of our wonderful Savior.
My favorite place to pray is outdoors. I feel closest to God when I’m under a canopy of twinkling stars or watching bursting thunderheads on a hot Florida afternoon. I’m often awed into worship of God’s creation when I see His startling detail and the magnificant power of this world…orchids and oceans. 🙂
Thank you for stopping by and commenting on my blog yesterday. I’m very glad to meet you in the blogosphere, and look forward to reading more of your posts.
God Bless,
Kerry
Your garden is beautiful!