We Live in a Beautiful World

What Difference Does it Make that We Live in a Beautiful World?

Posted on by Michele Morin

Sunday Scripture

Crossing the bridge and climbing the hill toward home, I wish for the perfect camera and a photographer’s skilled eye to capture well the expanse of blue filling my windshield. A beautiful world, accented with yellow forsythia in spring, in summer with rugosa roses, with maple leaves aflame in fall, and by sparkling white in winter, every season catches my breath, but the sky itself is the star of the production and a perennial reinforcement of Psalm 19:1:

The heavens declare the glory of God,
    and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.”

Psalm 19:1

The blue-sky view coming to me in all four seasons through laminated auto glass declares the glory of God. It is the work of his hands.

Does beauty make a difference? Does the gorgeous blue sky impact the way I relate to God and others every day? What can I infer about God from our beautiful world?

But when push comes to shove (and it always seems to!) does beauty make a difference? Does the gorgeous blue sky impact on the way I relate to God and to others every day? I think so. Here’s why…

What Can I Infer from our Beautiful World?

Scripture grants permission for me to intepret nature, because the biblical writers do it, too. David was clearly looking up when the first notes and lyrics of Psalm 8 first came to his creative mind.

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
    the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,
what is man that you are mindful of him,
    and the son of man that you care for him?”

Psalm 8:3-4

His words are a poetic “Wow,” and a firm reassurance that though I may feel small or that I pale in grandeur by comparison to the sky and God’s great heavens, he is mindful of me. God is not sorry that he went to the trouble of creating you and me–even though our obedience is far less impressive than the structured and orderly movement that characterizes the heavenly realm.

Lesson one from our beautiful world: God has a universe to run, but nonetheless, he pays attention to you! He thinks you are great!

Lesson two from our beautiful world: God is Greater!

When faithful Job had had enough of his friends’ eloquent prescriptions and had begun to toss his own questions God’s way, God responded not with answers, but with a curriculum vitae highlighting his creative work in the animal kingdom, in the sea, and in the sky. God numbers the clouds, and it is his voice that calls rain and lightening from their depths.

God made the universe. It does not contain him, and, like Job, I may discover that the questions I bring to God find their non-answers in God’s majesty and his divine prerogative to do what he deems best.

Our beautiful world is an invitation to awe, for the truth is that the God who created the vast expanse of blue invites you to bring your hard questions, your feelings of inadequacy and overwhelm right on into his presence. I don’t understand it, either, but, somehow, there is room in God’s great heart for me, and there’s room for you, too.

Let’s join the sky in declaring his glory!

P.S. Next week the Morin clan will be gathering here on the hill to celebrate our youngest son’s marriage. In order to be fully present to that, I’m going to pull the shades and hang a “Gone Fishin'” sign here at Living Our Days. I’ll be off social media, and there won’t be any new posts here until July 25th when I’ll be back with a Sunday Scripture post–and wedding pictures, obviously! Thanks so much for your eyes here and for the encouragement of your friendship.

God made the universe. It does not contain him, and, like Job, I may discover that the questions I bring to God find their non-answers in God’s majesty and his divine prerogative to do what he deems best.

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Published by Michele Morin

Michele Morin is a Bible teacher, writer, reader, and gardener committed to the truth that women can become confident Christ-followers and students of God's Word. She has been married to an unreasonably patient husband for thirty-plus years, and together they have four sons, four daughters-in-love, and six adorable grandchildren. Michele loves hot tea and well-crafted sentences, poems that stop her in her tracks, and days at the ocean with the whole family. She laments biblical illiteracy and advocates for the prudent use of “little minutes.” She blogs at Living Our Days, and you can connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter.

47 thoughts on “What Difference Does it Make that We Live in a Beautiful World?”

  1. Yes, the beauty of this world does testify to God’s glory and greatness, Michele. Like you, I’m amazed that the Lord is mindful of us at all, and so thankful that He is.
    All the best for your son’s wedding!

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  2. Praying you have a wonderful week celebrating your son and new daughter-in-law. There will be much beauty to be found there, I’m sure! I’m so glad God gives us a world that creates awe in us.

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  3. Yes, the days that I realize and remember His majesty here on earth, it is so awesome to the point of making tears fall down the face. I love those days. Happened a lot at the end of a Summer’s day out on the lake with the sky so huge above, and the beautiful sun on the waters. Happy dance for your Son and new DIL. She is blessed for sure to be joining your family. Congratulations to the happy couple. 🙂

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  4. I live in the country and I see God’s handiwork every single day. It brings me so much closer to Him. Have a great time celebrating your son’s wedding!

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  5. A poetic wow–I love that! I’ve often felt the wonder of that psalm–that the God who created all of that even notices me, much less cares about me. Whatever problems and concerns I have, God is bigger.

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  6. Michelle,
    One of the things I enjoy the most is watching sunsets and even the clouds from our front porch as we have a great view…It does remind me of how wonderful it is to live in a world of such beauty that God created. Congrats on your son’s wedding…Enjoy!!
    Thanks so much for stopping by!!
    Hugs,
    Deb

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  9. There are so many things we can learn from the beauty of the world God created – I think just the fact that we have the ability to appreciate beauty is a reminder that we are made in God’s image. Praying God’s best for your son and the whole family as you celebrate the wedding!

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  10. Nature is one of the things I find most helpful in connecting with God. It shows so much of his character. I hope you enjoy your break and have a wonderful time at the wedding!

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  13. A beautiful post about God’s beautiful creation and what it and Scripture teaches us about how God is so much greater than I can imagine, and yet He stoops down to make me great,Psalm18:35. Thank you, Michele, for a post that says so beautifully what I also try to teach and write about God’s creation.

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  14. I love the beauty of David’s words. It leaves me so awestruck that the Creator of the universe knows the number of hairs on my head and cares about little ole me. Congratulations on your son’s upcoming wedding!

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  15. I love that line from Psalm 19. Nature feels me with so much awe and often worship comes more easily as a result of spending time in nature. #mischiefandmemories

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  16. Yes, the world’s beauty definitely is and should be a reminder of God’s greatness! I am so happy that amidst the entire universe He created, He created planet Earth for us to take care of and pretty ashamed of how poor a job we do at it. Sending prayers for your son and new daughter-in-law for a beautiful wedding.

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  17. Without a doubt, God created a beautiful world because he loves beauty and he created us to love it, too. I closest to God when I’m out exploring his handiwork.

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  18. An invitation to awe – I love it! I was talking to a friend today about how beauty reflects God. Your post just added brilliant color to the thoughts lingering from the chat. Thanks, Michele, and happy family time and wedding!

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  19. I love the content of this post and the poetic way you expressed yourself! Yes, it matters, that the heavens declare the glory of GodI am a small town beach girl, living in a small town and serving a rural church The beauty is all around and I too am awestruck. So wise of you to step back and just be a mom and enjoy the wedding. Blessigns, Michele.

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  22. Our world was so wonderfully made. I am in awe of it everyday. Thank you for taking the time to link up. Best wishes to your son and daughter-in-law!

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  23. I love these thoughts, Michele. Who am I, to warrant the attention of the Creator of our amazing world? And yet He knows my name and thinks about me. I hope the wedding is wonderful … I’ll be looking forward to those pictures!

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  25. Michelle,
    Thanks again for stopping by!! I really appreciate that you took the tie to do so!!
    I hope you have a great weekend!!
    Hugs,
    Debbie

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  26. The vast beauty of the world makes the insignificance of my problems get put into perspective. We have so much to be thankful for! Thanks for linking up with #MischiefAndMemories

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  27. Thank you for bringing us these beautiful thoughts as we turn our eyes upon Jesus – Master creator, designer, artist who crowns us with love and tender mercies. We will feature your post in the next Blogger’s Pit Stop. Have a blessed wedding for all involved especially the Bride and Groom. The Pit Stop is needing to take a four-week break. We look forward to seeing you then.
    Kathleen

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  28. It’s not a blue sky that cheers me up, but the changing of the seasons to look forward to now we’re back in the UK.

    Thanks for sharing with #pocolo and hope to see you back again soon

    Like

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