Use your imagination. I want you to think about a time when you were in awe of creation. It can be different for everyone. It might be a waterfall, hiking in the mountains, a beach at sunset (FLA). For me, there is something incredibly special about early mornings when I go camping with my Family. I get up just as the morning light begins to wake up everything in the woods around us. It’s still just chilly enough to want the warmth of the campfire, but the sunshine is on its way. I put on some coffee, my son gets up, the birds are singing, the fire is crackling, we drink some coffee, think about making some breakfast, talk about the fish we almost caught yesterday. We walk to the edge of the lake and watch the sun come up over glass- smooth water. We could be the only people in the whole world. It is times like those that God just floors me with the majesty of His creation. It is at those times that I feel completely in awe of God.
This is what I want to talk about this morning - the testimony of creation
Ro 1:20 (NIV) 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 men are without excuse.
Pray
God’s creation is powerful. While you are here at this resort, I hope you get some time to be alone and spend some quality time in awe of God’s Power. God gives us these times to Reflect, Realize, and Respond to Him
1. Reflection
When you are in a place like this, you are away from the distractions of everyday life. You have time to rest and relax a little. Clear your mind and take some time to reflect. Get your feet back underneath you. Let God use the beauty of His creation to soothe you, then let God lead your thoughts to reflect on your life and your relationship with Him.
Do you have some struggles? That’s OK, we all struggle, don’t run away from it, spend time thinking through it. Let God have His say about the situation. Sometimes all it takes is to slow down enough, be away from the noise of our everyday life, to hear His voice that has been speaking all along,
Sometimes it does a lot of good to simply dwell on who God is, His invisible qualities, his eternal power and divine nature. To ponder His Grace, His Love, His Beauty, His Majesty, His Power. Letting God remind you who He is, how powerful He is, He is powerful enough to help you, His strength is enough for your situation
It is a good idea to find a spot away from everyone to do your thinking, and take your Bible along. Whatever you face, whatever you need to work through, whatever issue you may have, big or small, God’s Word can help. God may lead you to the scripture you need to read and ponder. God can use His word to shed light on your situation.
Spend some time in reflection, let God lead your thoughts, and God just might show you something new, or get you to finally face something that you knew was there, but you couldn’t or didn’t want to think about it.
2. Realization
When you spend that quality time with God, and you open your heart and your mind up to Him, and you give Him permission to work in your heart, He will show you what you need to see.
God can use these times to drive home a truth that you need to see, a point that you need to get. Some place in your life where you need to trust God. Some place where you need to stop trying to do God’s job for Him, where you need to stop trying to take control and listen to Him, let Him take over. Let God be in control of your life.
3. Response
When you spend quality time with God in Reflection, and he shows you something in your life that needs to change, then it is time to respond.
It is time to give in to God’s power and God’s plan.
There may be something you are doing He wants you stop,
There may be something you are not doing He wants you to start
There may be priorities that need to change
There may be parts of your schedule that need to change (because of priorities)
Whatever God shows you, whatever he convicts you about, don’t miss that opportunity to let him change you, to let him work in your heart.
When you’ve come that far, through reflection, then realization, and God shows you something, don’t just stop there. Don’t just say, yeah, you’re right God, I am neglecting my family, and then go right back to your 80hr work weeks.
Pray for God to make those changes in you. Commit to God and follow through, make a plan based on what God shows you, and put it into action.
If you don’t have a relationship with Jesus, I challenge that time in reflection, ask God to show you who he is. If you seek him with your whole heart, you will find him.
