Jesus—God, Our Creator Devotional Reading August 8, 2023
This afternoon, as I walked to the mailbox, I looked intently at the various plant life. The trees with massive trunks supporting countless leafy branches and the lush St. Augustine grass covering the ground are evidence of the love that Jesus has for humanity. Despite the sharp decline of the quality of life on the planet Earth, through nature, we can observe the detail and care that Christ put into every blade of grass, flower, and leafy tree.
"Then God said, let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth, and it was so. And the Earth brought forth grass the herb that yields seed according to its kind, and the tree that yields fruit, whose seed is in itself according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. So the evening and the morning were the third day." —Genesis 1:11-13
Although we fail to proclaim praises of gratitude to Christ, our Creator, and Master Artist for the awesome blessing of nature, the birds never fail to sing their praises. We were created to spend time relaxing and resting in natural environments. Sadly, we have traded spending time outside for a sedentary lifestyle of devoting hours to screen time. Many mental and emotional diagnoses can be alleviated by spending an hour or two in nature every day.
"Jesus said to them, 'Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest awhile' " (Mark 6:31). This is a wonderful example of Jesus' care, compassion, and wisdom. Relaxing in nature is the perfect time to meditate, pray, and study the Bible. Even on a hot, summer day, while sitting under a massive shade tree, God will send a gentle cooling breeze to say, "My son or daughter, I love you."
When your challenges are overwhelming, and your faith is weak, take a nature break. Open the door, and go outside! If you reside in a city, filled with concrete and glass structures, consider driving or using public transportation to visit a park. Turn your cell phone ringer off. It's nice to own a comfortable, collapsible outdoor chair to take with you for your Daycation. And don't forget to take a couple of bottles of water, a travel-size Bible, and a Devotional book.
Plan to spend at least two hours wherever you decide to go. Pay attention to the various plant life and remind yourself that Jesus created this for you to enjoy. Meditating on the goodness of God [in nature] is healing to the mind, body, and soul. Close your eyes for a few minutes and take a couple of deep breaths. Thank Jesus for His love and the beauty of nature. Let your time of worship include prayer and a real-talk, conversation with the Creator God.
"We're meant to live a substantial portion of our lives outdoors—and it's a unique place to experience our Creator and restore our spirits. The Bible says that nature speaks to us of God's character and His attributes. Spending time in nature gives us a chance to slow down…" Fullfocus.com
Prayer: God, we thank You for creating the beauty of nature. In Jesus' name, Amen.
©2023 Sonya Darcell Johnson, Steps 2 Success with Spiritual Solutions and Woman, You Are Loved by God Ministries
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