With the onslaught of media, technology, and the other noises and distractions created by mankind, our children might be missing the obvious beauty created by God. And in so doing, they may miss God himself.
The lights of the city often mask the brilliance of the stars; the sounds of the street seem to drown out the song of the birds. Yet, the powerful, undeniable forces of nature upon which we rely for our very survival envelope us at all times. From the air we breathe to the brightness of the sun, nature testifies of an intelligence beyond our own.
Amazingly, many still do not see that God is here. Modern culture often does not acknowledge His awesome presence. And when we do take notice of his artistry, very few give credit to the One who created it.
This darkness robs our children of a depth of knowledge that can only be found in God.
There is much that man has created that can entertain, enlighten and enrich our lives. But only God can save us. That is why he has made his presence so obvious in everything around us. He desperately wants us to know him on an intimate level, so he has filled us and everything around us with proof of his existence. To miss the obvious is to miss God.
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This evening my children and husband and I stood in awe as we soaked in the beauty of the setting sun over the Gulf of Mexico. We are vacationing on a bridgeless barrier island where the ocean, wildlife and dazzling sunsets boldly proclaim that there is a God. Night is ushered in every evening with great fanfare as the dancing, rich colors of peach, rose, violet and blue appear and then vanish across the darkening sky.
I can't help but think of the first few verses of Psalm 19:
"The heavens tell the glory of God,
And the skies announce what his hands have made.
Day after day they tell the story,
Night after night they tell it again.
They have no speech or words, They have no voice to be heard.
But their message goes out through all the world, Their words go everywhere on earth."
Observing the amazing creation that surrounds you is perhaps the easiest way to show your children the evidence of a loving God. His handiwork is always present, and always abundant. It's impossible to escape the evidence if you but open your eyes and ears and soak it in.
Teaching your children to look for Him throughout the day in the whisper of the wind, the blaze of the sun and the glow of the moon is a simple, yet powerful way to build their faith. Ask them to make note of the obvious declarations that they often miss. Spend an afternoon bird watching or just walking through a park with them, being careful to take in the innumerable miracles around you.
As a final step, make time to go through the Bible and work with them to write down verses that describe creation.
Although you and your children will no doubt end-up with a deeper appreciation for nature, a life-changing treasure can also be realized: A deeper, personal connection with the Creator himself. And it will make all the difference.
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