I have been pondering this post for a while, and trying to find the time to write it down. A few weeks ago, we began to have snowfall that stuck. Returning from Thanksgiving vacation in Ariziona to a snowy wonderland, sure made it feel like Christmas. It was almost magical, a sense of peace and serenity in the stillness of winter. Immediately the verse: "The heavens declare the glory of God" (Psalm 19:1) came to mind. Ususally, when I think of that scripture I remember it as a proof that God exists. In my mind, I pair it with Romans 1:20 "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." This verse argues that we cannot deny that God exists, because it is clearly seen in creation all around us. I still agree with this original use of these scriptures, but I found myself wandering to another understanding.
This time, God seemed to plant on my heart, that the "glory of God" described in the Psalms not only has to do with the fact that He exists and created everything, but that Creation itself reflects the very nature of God. As I meditated on this perspective, I found the following applications delightfully revealing, and they cause me to stare in amazement at our creation in a new way. These are not new attributes to God. In fact, they are the common ones you may hear many times throughout the year. The actual attributes are not what encouraged me, but the fact that Creation reveals to us that they are true. Here are a few examples of the nature of God as described through Creation:
1. God enjoys creativity - one only has to look around to see that God is creative. He could have had one season but he chose four. Wouldn't one type of grass been sufficient? How about one type of beetle or worm? No, God wanted variety. He wanted to be creative. Thus, His Creation demonstrates his creativity. Is it any wonder that man, who is made in the image of God enjoys variety and creativity?
2. God holds all wisdom and knowledge - It would be impossible for Bill Gates to make a computer accomplish a task that he did not instruct it to do. The computer (or the creation) cannot hold attributes that it's creator does not possess. Obviously, even the most astute wisdom and deep knowledge cannot be greater than that of God's, for He created us. All of the scientific discoveries we have yet to make are known deeply by God. As humans, we have the tendency to think we are smarter than God. We think that we understand things better than He may. We decide that our method to resolve an issue makes more semse than His way. But we forget that our Lord knows everything, He possesses unlimited knowledge and wisdom. Relinquishing to his will is not surrendering to a weaker body, but allowing His wisdom and Grace to get it right the first time, without us getting in the way.
3. God is systematic, organized, disciplined - Look at nature around you! The various systems and processes are unbelieveable! Photosynthesis, seasons, tides, digestion, reproduction, muscular, erosion, volcanic, techtonics, weather patterns, solar systems, pollination, etc. These just name a few! God gave us the moon and sun, which follows a simple pattern that allows us to understand time. Can you imagine if this was an erratic event? What if we were not sure when it would be light again, or when it may be night? The systems He produced tell us that He is systematic! That he values consistency and order. "For God is not a God of disorder but of peace" (I Corinthians 14:33). In fact, disorder is associated with evil! "For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice (James 3:16).
4. God experiences every emotion we can imagine - I could not create a painting unless I had possesion of the paint and paintbrush to apply to the canvas. In the same way, God has to be able to experience every emotion we ourselves posses. How could God give us the feeling of frustration if He himself had no idea what that was? No, God must possess those things which He has created in us. Although, we do need to remember that God gave us free will, as He has free will. However, he chooses righteousness and grace, and we choose sin. The sin in us is not the result of humans demonstrating the nature of God, but rather opposing and turning away from His nature, to the nature of evil. This comes from the Devil. We can rejoice though, for Christ has overcome this sinful nature! "Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you."(Romans 8:8-9)
5. God has power over life and death - When a flower blooms and dies, the life and death process itself must be contained within the power of God Himself. For how could God create life which dies unless He also could shut down life at his discretion. The systems that he creates such as the life systems demand that He holds the power over every step in that process. Therefore, He must have power over all life to bring living creatures and plants to life, but He must also have power over death to determine their lifespan. How much more can we believe in Christ's power over the cross, since it is confirmed daily, hourly, by the second in creation all around us??
So you see, Romans 1:19-20 "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 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" takes on a whole new meaning too. Of course there is no excuse if we see the very nature of God all around us, in the simplest considerations of the creation! If we deny the Glory of God, His very attributes, revealed in this creation, how can we have any excuses? It is PLAIN to us! I am so glad that God made it plain to me, how everything around us shows how clearly we are created by our spiritual father, in the image of Him, with attributes granted through His power alone. How refreshing is the confidence and revealing truth God gave us, demonstrated through His creation. May you be mystified by the very nature of God revealed in creation. Love in Christ, Karen
