Ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God. (Romans 1:20)

Relate: This picture is from the top of an old fire lookout on top of Mount Utsayantha. This is a historic lookout post from which a watch could be made over multiple small nearby towns. The fire tower stands at the top of the highest hill in the region from which you can see for miles and miles in every direction. I cannot begin to tell you how beautiful it is to look out from this tower in early autumn. There is no possible way a person can stand in that tower at the top of that mountain and be amazed by the breathtaking beauty of God’s creation.

Through high-school, my family used to go out camping with a few other families every Memorial and Labor Day. One of the most commonly used destinations was a campground right near Letchworth State  Park. The Genesee River runs through the park cutting cliffs into the sides of the hills and tumbling over three waterfalls. The number of places where you can just stop and be overwhelmed by the beauty is countless. One of my most memorable vistas was from about halfway up one of the 300 foot high cliffs where I watched the sunset over the cliff on the far side.

React: The beauty and majesty of creation can clearly be seen by the naked eye by any who chose to look. It can also be seen by any who chose to look behind the lens of a telescope and a microscope. The greater that lens, the more amazing the wonders to behold. Our world, our universe is a work of art. It is the greatest work of art. Those that have chosen to study this work of art have a noble and a high calling. Their research and their findings are worth learning because they teach us of the mastery and the methods of the Artist.

Any child can look with wonder at the work of a master like Michelangelo or Rembrandt. Anyone walking through the Sistine Chapel or viewing a work by the Baroque master can be amazed. Someone who understands the tools and the methods and the means of artistry by which that work was created can only have greater and greater respect. In the same means, but on an incomparably much vaster scale, the more we learn of creation, the greater we can appreciate our Creator. Science is not in conflict with God. It is not an evil to be avoided. It is a tool for worship.

Respond: 

Dear God,
I thank You for Your mastery. Your divine nature and creative power are clearly revealed, help me to keep my eyes open and see. Your handiwork is everywhere I turn. Help me to open my eyes and see, not just what You have done, but also how You did it and are holding it all together. Let me never lose the wonder at what You have made. Let me never grow so distracted by the things of life that I forget to live… to live it in appreciation.
Amen