Strong spirits: what are you hearing?
Jesus used the natural world as the stage for many of his most powerful messages.
God is always speaking to us, in many ways. Certainly from his word, the Bible. From friends. From people of deep faith in messages and in books. Through circumstances. By reminding us of lessons we have learned. By speaking to us in his still, small voice in our hearts and our minds. One of my personal favorites is how he speaks to us in the world around us.
Paul tells us in Romans that nature itself reveals God to us (Romans 1:20). David writes that the earth is the Lord's, and everything in it (Psalm 24). He writes that the heavens are telling the glory of God (Psalm 19). Jesus used the natural world as the stage for many of his most powerful messages. If you read scripture, you will find ample evidence that the created order - nature - not only reveals God but lends to the worship of God.
So I encourage you to find some time away from the hubbub of daily life. Get some time alone in the natural world - your backyard, a park, or a nature preserve. Go to sit quietly and listen, to look, to observe, to meditate. Ask God to show himself to you. Ask him what he wants you to learn. Pay attention.
God is speaking and he is eager for us to hear.
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Besides serving as pastor at Caledonia Congregational Church, Gary Schwerin is the Spiritual Development Minister for the YMCA of the Rock River Valley and Executive Director of Bridge Ministries of Rockford. Prior to launching Bridge Ministries, Gary spent many years in leadership with Young Life. His columns appear here every Sunday - to see them all, subscribe to our daily email.
