I love fall. There’s a crispness to the morning air that’s absent the rest of the year. The sky takes on an impossible shade of blue. The trees are clothed in beautiful robes of orange, golden yellow, and crimson.
I spend a lot more time outside. Temperatures are perfect for sitting on the porch and sampling an after-dinner dessert. Lawn games are actually enjoyable since there’s a break in the humidity. I’m more aware of God’s handiwork all around me: it points me to the Master Creator.
How it all began
Imagine what creation must have looked like when God spoke it into existence. Every variety of plant, tree, and grass covered the earth He had made. And every bit of it was good:
And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so…And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:11, 12b
The first gardener
God was the original landscaper. He planted the first garden – the Garden of Eden. He didn’t need to go to the local nursery to select just the right flowers, or amend the soil before He planted the trees. The power of His word got the job done. And there were no weeds to worry about!
And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food. Genesis 2:9a
The Lord put His crowning creation, Adam and Eve, in the garden to take care of it and enjoy its beauty. There was only one rule; they were not to eat fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. We all know how the story ended. The temptation to disobey was too strong. They sinned and as a result, were put out of the garden.
Creation still speaks
Although man sinned, and the ground was cursed, an element of beauty still remains. Creation continues to cause people to marvel; it gives them reason to pause and consider the existence of a Divine Creator and question whether they can know Him.
The apostle Paul confirms this truth:
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead: so that they are without excuse: Romans 1:20
The power of God’s Word
But nature by itself is not enough. It’s the arrow that points to the Creator; but God’s Word is the tool that draws people into a relationship with Him. It IS possible to know the very One who created everything.
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:9, 13
During this fall season, allow the beauty of nature to point you back to the One who created it all!
Your turn
Is the Master Creator also your Savior? If not, take some time to reflect on the following verses and come to know Him today: Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Romans 5:8, Romans 10:9, Romans 10:10, Romans 10:13
Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for the beauty of Your creation – it points to You. Help me be aware of Your presence during this time of year and give me opportunities to share Your Word with others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
