Julie Lavender

GUEST BLOGGER

My guest blogger today is Tracy Robbins. Tracy and I met online because we both have an interest in and passion for God's creative masterpieces. In fact, when I first asked her to guest on my site, she couldn't get back to me for a couple of days because she and her family were enjoying God's great outdoors during a mini-vacation! Tracy writes at HappyHealthyandProsperous.com. Read her words below and then connect with Tracy on her site. I know you're going to enjoy her words as much as I do! 

Connect With God Through Nature

By Tracy Robbins ©2016, Originally Published August 16, 2016 at HappyHealthyandProsperous.com. Used with permission.

“For 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 (NLT)

Any nature lovers out there? Picture me raising both hands. I absolutely LOVE being outside (weather permitting) and being around nature. There’s just something about seeing creation in all of its shapes and forms. As a result, I feel like I connect with God through nature.
Now, I know this is probably not the case for everyone. Hence, this is only one of many ways of connecting with God. There are loads of people I know who love and prefer their creature comforts…namely indoor air conditioning and heating! However, I still think even those who prefer to remain indoors have something to gain by trying to connect with God through nature.

Even Jesus liked to connect with God through nature                                                      

“Later that same day Jesus left the house and sat beside the lake.” Matthew 13:1 (NLT)

This is a verse I found written in my journal on one of my quiet time notes. My own notes beside it included some of my thoughts as I read the verse. “I love this because I can relate. Even I love to go out and enjoy peace and nature—especially beside water (like a lake). I can just imagine him sitting there, enjoying the beauty, talking to God, and thinking. I love it!”
It was cool reading that Jesus did some of the very things that I also enjoy doing to connect with God through nature and the outdoors. In fact there are several other instances of Jesus doing just that…

“But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer.” Luke 5:16 (NLT)

“After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone” Matthew 14:23 (NIV)

“Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, "Sit here while I go over there to pray."” Matthew 26:36 (NLT)

Nature can reveal so much about God.

In her book, What’s Your God Language?: Connecting with God through Your Unique Spiritual Temperament, Myra Perrine says of people who connect with God through nature, 

“Something inside their souls comes alive when they are surrounded by God’s splendor in nature, be it the mountains, the desert, the plains, or the beach. For Naturalists, just being outside can dramatically increase their awareness of God, since witnessing the Lord in nature comes easily. They might see a massive rock formation and be moved to reflect upon the rock-solid faithfulness of God, or they might see His gentleness as a breeze blows through the trees, or they might sense while hiking in the heat of the day that God is an oasis who restores our dry, dusty souls.”

There’s a lot we can learn by spending quality time in and around God’s creations.

Nature reflects God and His creativity and glory.

“The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship.” Psalm 19:1 (NLT)

“You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” Isaiah 55:12 (NIV)

““And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang: "Blessing and honor and glory and power belong to the one sitting on the throne and to the Lamb forever and ever."” Revelation 5:13 (NLT)

Nature displays God’s power and control.

“You formed the mountains by your power and armed yourself with mighty strength. You quieted the raging oceans with their pounding waves and silenced the shouting of the nations. Those who live at the ends of the earth stand in awe of your wonders. From where the sun rises to where it sets, you inspire shouts of joy.

You take care of the earth and water it, making it rich and fertile. The river of God has plenty of water; it provides a bountiful harvest of grain, for you have ordered it so. You drench the plowed ground with rain, melting the clods and leveling the ridges. And you soften the earth with showers and bless its abundant crops. You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance. The grasslands of the wilderness become a lush pasture, and the hillsides blossom with joy. The meadows are clothed with flocks of sheep, and the valleys are carpeted with grain. They all shout and sing for joy!” Psalm 65:6-13 (NLT)

Nature can act as God’s missionary and can testify to His existence.

"I tell you," he replied, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." Luke 19:40 (NIV)

“For 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 (NLT)

““But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.” Job 12:7-10 (NIV) 

We can see that God will take care of us by looking at nature.

“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?  Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?  Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

“And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?” Matthew 6:25-30 (NLT)

God reminds us of His promises and His faithfulness through nature.

“Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.” Genesis 9:16 (NIV)

A few examples of how I connect with God through nature

Well, for one, I’m sitting outside right now as I write this! :) My wonderful husband built a deck for me for Mother’s Day because he knows how much I love being outside (as does the rest of the family). Being in nature helps me to hear from God. Additionally, I experience and see the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) when I’m in nature: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
It was funny because just the other day we were reminiscing about the time I was pregnant with my son, and I would go outside and take naps on the swing. I would also often take both of my kids outside when they were upset as babies since it would often calm them down for some reason. When I connect with God through nature it brings His peace.
I guess my whole family loves nature. We are able to connect with God through nature by seeing its beauty, goodness, happiness, and joy. We love going to the lake, camping, fishing, geocaching, and taking walks and hiking. Although, now taking walks sometimes includes a bit of Pokemon Go activity! Gotta hatch those eggs! However, it’s sometimes a bit difficult to connect with God if I’m pitching a fit because a 13 CP Pidgey busted out of a pokeball for the second time and disappeared in a puff of smoke! :)
As a result of noticing nature and God's creation around me, I notice God more. Sometimes I’ll just sit in my hammock and look up in the trees and listen to the sounds (that is until the recent storm destroyed it). This even makes me feel loved by God! When my son was around 3 or 4 he even noticed the joy in nature as we were driving one windy day. He called out from his car seat, “Look momma! The trees are dancing!”
God has also taught me so much just through my gardening. Seriously, I actually have writing a gardening devotional book on my to-do list because I have come up with so many spiritual analogies!
I have noticed I learn from animals too! 

Take Some Practical Steps To Connect With God Through Nature:

"Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better."  ~Albert Einstein

Even if it’s not YOUR nature, try to connect with God through nature this week. Try any of the following ideas or come up with a few on your own!

• Have a quiet time/read your bible outside.
• Take a walk while you pray, listen to a podcast, or listen to praise & worship music.
• Go out in nature somewhere that you can experience some of the fruits of the Spirit…woods, mountains, beach, garden, lake, or even a local park.
• Sit on a porch, talk to God and listen. Listen to the sounds of nature, and listen to God.
• Visit a farmer’s market and experience some of the good that God provides from nature.
• Do some bird or animal watching (at home or at a park, nature center or zoo) and see what spiritual lessons you can learn from observing.
• Do some gardening and reflect on how that process has spiritual similarities.
• Watch a sunrise or sunset.
• Do some outdoor exercise while reflecting on God. (This past weekend I participated in “Holy Yoga” at a local park. It was awesome! They read scripture, played praise music in the background and encouraged us to reflect on God and our surroundings.)
• Do some sunbathing and imagine the warmth of the sun as the warmth of God’s love surrounding and covering you. (Alright, that was pretty cheesy. But hey, it’s an option!)
• Read about nature in the bible. Psalm 104:1-35 speaks of the great variety of things God has created and the roles that nature plays in our everyday life.
• Observe the awe and wonder of God through natural beauty. (OK… so this one should be easy for all of you indoor people out there. You simply need to look at photos or art of nature for this one!)

Any other ideas? How do you connect with God through nature? What has nature revealed to you about God? 

Authors bio:

Tracy Robbins is a teacher, writer and speaker from Broken Arrow, OK. She has been married to her husband, Eric for nearly 19 years, and together they have 2 children.  She is actively involved and serves in her home church, Church on the Move in Tulsa, OK where she’s been attending for over 25 years.  Tracy teaches part-time at a local community college as well as for a local women’s ministry.  She loves to help people grow and mature spiritually, sharing life skills for success and how to practically apply God’s Word in everyday, real-life situations. You can find Tracy blogging at www.HappyHealthyandProsperous.com.