We are introduced to God as Creator in the first sentence of the Bible: “Bereshiet bara Elohim” (“In the beginning God created”). But the Almighty’s relationship with His creation certainly doesn’t end there on the very first page.
In fact, God created us for relationship with Himself. And one way we can become better acquainted with His heart is through His handiwork.
Just as you can learn a lot about an artist by closely scrutinizing their artwork, you can gain great insight into God by studying the universe He has made.
The apostle Paul wrote that God gives vivid glimpses of Himself through the natural world: “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 people are without excuse” (Romans 1:20).
In other words, open your eyes! Look around! Sit up and pay attention! The natural world is constantly speaking volumes about God’s supernatural character. Expansive prairies and the vastness of the night sky speak of God’s magnitude.
Majestic waterfalls, F5 tornadoes, massive hurricanes, and explosive volcanoes hint at God’s awesome power. And daily discoveries by microbiologists, oceanographers, and physicists provide a rich running commentary about God’s wisdom, complexity, and creativity.
We see the same creativity and love in the animal kingdom. The protective care of a mother hen with her chicks offers insight into the heart of our heavenly Father. The tenderness of a lioness with her playful cubs echoes God’s grace and patience.
Most significantly, the astonishing abilities and exploits of people point us to a Designer who must be remarkable beyond words. In the mirror (and in our neighbors) we see the marks of the One who made us: creativity, a longing for community, and a desire to make a difference.
If you really want to get to know your Creator, the first and most natural place to look is at His creation.
What is something you can learn about the Creator from your surroundings today?
