Visit His World

It's mid-September here in western New York, USA--a time when the warm, sunshiny glories of summer gradually give way to the cool breezes and waning, golden light of autumn. In this season we're especially sensitive to the divine Creation that surrounds us, and are blessed with many ways to immerse ourselves in it--trails through the woods and meadows, beaches along lakes great and small, marshes and rolling hills to explore.

It's important for the believer to remember daily, as the great old hymn says, "This Is My Father's World."  The worries, frustration, and artificiality of the man-made, day-to-day realm tend distract us from the well-spring of all life, our loving Heavenly Father. In order to keep our connection with Him strong, we need to keep in touch with the world as He made it, and makes it anew every day. Scripture abounds with joyous testimony of how the heavens and earth, and everything in them, reflect God's power and providence. "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork." (Psalms 19:1) And again: "Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God: who covereth the heaven with clouds, who prepareth rain for the earth, who maketh grass to grow upon the mountains." (Psalms 147:7,8) And especially: "The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine: as for the world and the fulness thereof, thou hast founded them." (Psalms 89:11)  Indeed, Psalm 104 is one long hymn of wonder and thanksgiving to God for all that he means to His Creation.

Make generous room in your life for experiencing that Creation as directly as you can. If possible, take regular walks in woods or fields, or in natural parks if you're city-bound. Explore the shorelines of lakes or streams. Listen intently to the breeze whispering through the trees or grass, and reflect on the abundant plant and animal life around you. Don't be afraid to spend some time outside in a gentle rain or a light snowfall!  When skies are clearer, admire the rising or setting sun and the clouds ablaze with shimmering light and color. At night, look upon a starry sky and contemplate the immense distances and ages into which you can see, and wonder at the majesty and eternity of the Father who who wrought them. While doing these things, talk to Him in prayer--silently or aloud--and thank Him for all the beauty and bounty He has heaped upon His children! Don't confine these experiences to when times are good, but seek them also--perhaps, especially--when you're troubled. And don't always do these things alone; two or more souls discovering and sharing the glorious handiwork of God together can spread an unquenchable spirit of joy and faith through a multitude of lives!

We are immersed in God's love--all we need to is reach out and touch it!

Tom Fleming
Songs of Praises