I remember when I was younger, I used to go out and sit under the trees. I explored all these new age ideas that God was nature. I was amazed at the beauty. The stillness of woods and of mountains fascinated me, and this still does. But I found that these quasi religions, because some of them where – adding bits from everything in an attempt to appease everyone – they where empty. They were drawn from things that were either frankly guessed at, or they just came from myths.
And beware lest you raise your eyes to heaven, and when you see the sun and the moon and the stars, all the host of heaven, you be drawn away and bow down to them and serve them, things that the Lord your God has allotted to all the peoples under the whole heaven.
Deuteronomy clearly warns us not to confuse nature with God. When you think about it, it is plainly insulting to Him. It is like people sitting around listening to Mozart’s requiem and thinking this is Mozart, if people did this whilst He was alive, He would plainly laugh, thinking them drunk.
Christianity is built on truth. Many people have believed in Jesus because of all the historical evidence that says he was a real person, a historical person, and whilst this may be good to research this does not draw me to God. It was the conviction by God himself. He comes to us and convicts our hearts and I can not live with a lie in my heart, I have to follow what I feel is right and true. God is truth.
The sun, the moon, the stars, the fascinating creation that we live within, which is finely tuned for life, is wonderful. It is a precious gift but it is not God. Only just glimpsing the moon fascinates me, it is a testament to our Lord and God, but it is not him.
I believe God is everywhere and we don’t need to be within a special building to find God. But sometimes it really does help to have a Holy place. A place set apart. At work it is good to have somewhere to sit quietly and pray. You could have a place near a pond, or a corner of a room, or you might like going to the local church which might have a feeling of years of prayer built up inside, but each of us needs these places.
And Abraham planted a grove in Beersheba, and called there on the name of the LORD, the everlasting God.
Abraham clearly new how important it was to have a special place set apart, a Holy place, a quiet place to reflect, and so do we – whether you search and use your local church or you use a local forest, find your place.
Some days I don’t get to see much nature, but when I see the moon, or the sun, or the stars I am reminded of Gods wonderful work. When I see my children I am reminded of Gods wonderful work. When I help others I am reminded of how I can do Gods wonderful work, if only for a small moment.
I pray that on days that clouds are thick, and sunlight is far, that God the Father sends his Holy Spirit, which will guide you to the Word, Jesus the Christ, our Lord and our God.
Amen
With blessings
Graham
365 Exhortations 