How does God speak to us?  As we have been going through the book of Acts learning about the early church (you can see some posts on that here) we have thought and talked about this question as a family quite frequently.  One way God speaks that I am sure we can all agree on is through the Bible.   Some other voices of God in our lives are: the Holy Spirit, other people, through praying then listening/waiting, and even through dreams and visions.  The list extends the length of God’s love.

But there is another voice I haven’t mentioned that is so prominent and yet typically overlooked.  In example after example, Jesus illustrates how this oft ignored voice teaches vital truths about Him.  Look at the verses below (they are only a few examples among many).

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”…..”I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:1-2, 5

He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field.  It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.” Matthew 13:31-32

“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?  And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.  But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.  Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:29-31

“Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”…….”Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you,even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?” Matthew 6:26, 28-30

And he told them many things in parables, saying: “A sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil, but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away. Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear.”  Matthew 13:3-5

“From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near.” Matthew 24:32

…”But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.  To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.”…..“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.  He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.  I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.  And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.” John 10:2-5, 11-16

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What is the oft ignored voice I am referring to?

From the beginning, God has surrounded us with His handiwork.  The masterpiece constantly on display serves as a reminder of Him.  From the garden to the grave, from a fruit tree to a hewn tree, God painted pictures of perfection and love.  His creation is the voice that surrounds us constantly, persistently calling to all who will listen.  No matter what humanity does the creation never stops pointing to the Creator.

 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 people are without excuse.  Romans 1:20   

(See also Job 12:7-10, Romans 1:20, Psalm 148:1-10)

Why do I share this?  God gave me a passion to enjoy His creation.  There is something about its voice that speaks to the heart in a way that words cannot.  And at the same time, I feel a desire to express it to the extent that words can.

That being said I would like to share on this blog the joys and lessons that I am discovering in God’s creation.  But even more, I want to encourage you to explore the creation on your own.  There is so much to find once you start looking.

I’m looking forward to learning together as we sit in His classroom!