And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
Genesis 1:3
Several years ago, we had a total eclipse in my area of the world. I will never forget standing with hundreds of people outside our public library, glasses in hand, ready for the moment. Do you know what’s funny? Even when the moon completely covers the sun, we still have to wear special glasses to even get a glimpse.
Without those glasses, a person’s eyes could be permanently damaged. That’s one powerful sun.
How much more God? He spoke the sun into existence. No wonder he told Moses, “You cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live” (Exodus 33:20). The glory of the Source of light cannot be contained or fathomed.
Yet, in the end, he did choose to contain that glory in the form of a man, enabling us to truly see him and live.
When we look at creation today, not man-made stuff, but nature, it cannot be explained away by science or human wisdom. God constantly reveals himself, his glory, through each leaf, each cloud, each crawling insect, or flying bird.
Michael Reeves writes:
Being perfectly loving, from all eternity the Father and the Son have delighted to share their love and joy with and through the Spirit. It is not then, that God becomes sharing; being triune, God is a sharing God, a God who loves to include. Indeed, that is why God will go on to create.
Michael Reeves, Delighting in the Trinity.
Just as we stand in awe of the miracle of the Incarnation, we must also stand in awe of the miracle of creation. For many, it starts with creation, with the natural world, where they first meet God. In creation, God is pleased to share himself with us. The view from a mountain top or ocean beach takes us beyond self to a loving God.
When is the last time you were inspired by the wonder of creation? Did it lead you to the Creator? Did it cause you to humble yourself and worship? Ask the Holy Spirit to help you today to recognize the Source in the world around you. Worship Him.
Grace and Peace