The Wonders of Nature and the Wonders of God: Daily Reflection from The High Calling

Last updated on: March 13, 2015 at 3:29 pm by Mark D. Roberts

The Wonders of Nature and the Wonders of God: Daily Reflection from The High Calling 2015-03-13T15:29:24-05:00 Mark D. Roberts

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Psalm 65:1-13

Those who live at the ends of the earth
stand in awe of your wonders.
From where the sun rises to where it sets,
you inspire shouts of joy.

Psalm 65:8

Our translation of Psalm 65:8 reads, “Those who live at the ends of the earth stand in awe of your wonders. From where the sun rises to where it sets, you inspired shouts of joy.” The Hebrew word translated here as “wonders” (’ot) might be rendered more literally as “sign” or “symbol.” God’s wonders are not only the source of amazement. They are not meant to draw attention to themselves. Rather, they are signs that point to the creative power and matchless beauty of God. The wonders of nature illustrate and indicate the wonders of God.

This biblical truth undergirds one of the most central and influential efforts of the organization that sponsors these Daily Reflections. As you may know, the Reflections are part of The High Calling, a ministry that creates digital opportunities for people to have a transformational encounter with God so that they might become agents of divine transformation in the world. The High Calling is a division of Foundations for Laity Renewal (FLR), which sponsors Laity Lodge, Laity Lodge Youth Camp, Laity Lodge Family Camp, and the Laity Lodge Leadership Initiative, in addition to The High Calling. Additionally, one of the oldest and most pivotal works of FLR is the program known as the Foundation Free Camps. Almost sixty years ago, the H. E. Butt Foundation, parent to FLR, purchased a 1900-acre ranch in the Texas Hill Country in order to provide an opportunity for children to experience the wonders of nature so they might glimpse the wonders of God.

Howard E. Butt, Sr., and his wife, Mary Holdsworth Butt, founders of the H. E. Butt Foundation and visionaries behind the Free Camps, were especially eager to welcome children with limited means to these camps because many underprivileged young people had never before experienced God’s pristine creation. Throughout the past six decades, thousands upon thousands of children have discovered for the first time the beauty, quiet, inspiration, and delight of God’s creation. And, in this discovery, they have glimpsed the God who made it all.

We have been created to love nature. It’s part of our human and spiritual DNA. But nature is more than a means for human enjoyment, not to mention sustenance. Nature is also a giant signpost pointing to the One who made it. The “wonders” of nature are indeed “your wonders,” God’s wonders and signs that help us to know and worship him.

QUESTIONS FOR FURTHER REFLECTION: What are your favorite natural settings? In what ways does nature help you to know and experience God? What helps you not to make an idol of nature, but rather to let it be a sign pointing to the Creator?

PRAYER: All praise be to you, O God, for the wonders of creation. All praise be to you for the beauty of this world, for the wide expanse of the ocean, for the breathtaking heights of mountains, for the inviting green of lush forests, for the calming stillness of the desert, and for so much more.

As I enjoy the wonders of this world, may they indeed be signs that point to you. Keep me from turning nature into an idol that receives my worship. Instead, may the glories of creation help me to perceive your glories that transcend all perception. Amen.
_________________________________________________

Would you like to receive a Daily Reflection like this one in your email inbox each morning?

Here’s how . . . .

This devotional comes from The High Calling: Everyday Conversations about Work, Life, and God (www.thehighcalling.org). You can read my Daily Reflections there, or sign up to have them sent to your email inbox each day. This website contains lots of encouragement for people who are trying to live out their faith in the workplace. The High Calling, along with Laity Lodge, is part of Foundations for Laity Renewal.

Daily Reflections

Inspiration from the High Calling

Daily Reflections

Psalm 65

The High Calling

Previous Post

September 6, 2013

RIP, Robert Farrar Capon

Next Post

September 9, 2013 No More Folders

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Advent Advent Calendar Alissa Wilkinson Archeology Art and Faith Ash Wednesday Bible Books Business Business and Faith Christian Year (Liturgical or Church Year) Christmas Christmas according to Dickens Christmas, Culture, and Christ Christmas: Keeping Christmas Well Church and Culture Church and Ministry Church and Technology Church Life Church: What is a Church? Cities Code of Ethics for Pastors Contentment Creativity Cultural Commentary Culture Daily Reflections Dallas Willard Deliberating on Digital Dignity Easter Education Ephesus and the New Testament Ethics Eugene Peterson Evangelical Existential Questions Faith Faith and Work Family Food Friendship Fun Good Reads Gospel Centered Christianity Grace Handel's Messiah Harvard University Health High Calling History Holidays Holy Spirit Holy Week Hospitality How Does God Guide Us? Hunger Games Insights for Leaders - De Pree Center Inspiration from the High Calling Jesus Jesus: Following Him as a Disciple Jesus: Seven Last Words Jesus: Was Jesus Married? Jesus: What Was His Message? Jesus: Why Did He Have to Die? Laity Lodge Leadership Leadership Conversation Lent Les Miserables Life for Leaders Linda's Advent Doodles Linda's Lenten Doodles Living Well Loving Neighbors Max De Pree Center for Leadership Mental Health Mission of God and Missional Church Money Moral Dilemmas Mormonism Movies Nature New York City Pastors and Churches Pentecost Photos to Share Poetry Police Blotter Politics Prayer Preachers Portal Preaching Presbyterian Church Quotations Reading the Times Recommendations Reflecting on Technology Religion and Culture Ruminations Sabbath Science Seven Last Words Sexual Harassment Social Media Something to Think About Spiritual Warfare Sports Stations of the Cross Stephen Hawking: Heaven and Faith Stories Technology and Culture Technology and Education Technology and Mental Health Technology Bits Texas Thanksgiving The High Calling Thin Places Uncategorized Vocation Women Words Work Worship

Select a Month November 2018 October 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 March 2017 February 2017 December 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 April 2015 March 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 November 2010

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

How many days was Jesus in the tomb before His resurrection?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Three Seven Forty Nine