The Nature of God – Closer
I have trouble focusing and resting in dead silence. It’s like my mind can’t turn off. I use white noise through rain sounds app to help me sleep. I can choose from rain on the leaves, peaceful water, ocean rain, thunderstorms, etc. A selection of ocean rain mixed with wind and thunderstorms calms me the most. It takes me to a place where sleep restores me, instead of leaving me restless.
During the day, I open the front door and listen to the birds chirping. In California, I’d sit on my porch with a cup of coffee and feel the ocean breeze traveling from a few miles away, then I’d sit with my wife for a daily devotional. The sounds, sights, and presence of nature prepare me to get closer to God. It’s a reminder that God never stops speaking.
Psalm 23:2-3
2 He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. 3 He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.
We don’t always know or understand what we need in our lives. It’s also true that we don’t know all of the things we should avoid. The noise of the world and the busyness of our minds makes us susceptible to being led astray. God’s desire is to lead us to righteousness. He restores what we previously lost.
From the moment God said, “Let there be light,” he has never stopped speaking (Genesis 1:3). Sometimes, it’s difficult to hear him because we don’t know how to be quiet. For some of us, using God’s creation to quiet the noise of our busy lives is the most effective way to connect with him. He speaks the loudest when we’re quiet.
Questions:
Do you feel that there’s a distance between you and God? What steps have you taken to strengthen your relationship with him?
Do you connect best with God through nature?
Next Steps:
Try starting your day by opening yourself up to hear God’s voice. Take a walk without any distractions to appreciate the natural world around you. Use that time to rest and restore before jumping into the daily grind. Read your Bible to see how God took the time to speak through creation.
Prayer:
God, thank you for the beauty in the world you gave us. I hope I continue to appreciate the wonders of your creation and use them to relax my mind and restore my soul when necessary. I ask that you continue to guide me to a life of purpose and lead me away from the loudness that can deafen me from hearing your voice. Amen.
This post was written by Jaron Camp. Jaron is a storyteller and a professional ghostwriter who enjoys using his gifts to write for the LivingItOut. When he’s not developing fictional worlds, researching, and writing, Jaron enjoys watching sports, participating in family game night, and spending time with his wife and four kids.
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