Unlock Your Way of Experiencing GodEsimerkki

I once saw a meme that showed a picturesque sunset with flowers, trees, clouds, and the most fantastic evening colors in the sky. The caption on the picture was simply this: "Nature is God's Pinterest page."

Being out in nature has an almost euphoric effect on me. Most of my work hours are spent in a traditional office space, where I counsel individuals and couples. Don't get me wrong, I love what I do, but sometimes I want to scream, not because of the pain and trauma experienced by the people I'm counseling, but because I can feel like a caged animal.

I know you have seen a caged lion or tiger pacing back and forth in a small enclosure at the circus, the zoo, or in a movie. All these powerful felines want to be free, run, hunt, feel the grass under their feet, and feel the breeze on their face. We humans are not much different. Nature is soothing and healing for my soul, and it may also be for yours. I can quickly and easily experience God's love, peace, and presence in nature.

Whether it's the mountains, the ocean, a sunrise, or a sunset, or maybe for you, it's the smell in the air after a rainstorm. God is present in all of it, and something in you recognizes that.

Our next way of experiencing God is what I call creativity. This is such an intriguing way to experience God and I admire its fire. What exactly is creativity? It means people are creative and use their talents to create things.

I have several friends who are into woodworking. They have built tables, cigar humidors, guitars, and other things. When they work with wood, cutting it, shaping it, sanding it, piecing it together, etc., they begin to see in their hands what they had envisioned with their minds. It's a deeply spiritual moment quite often. Does that seem like a stretch for you to comprehend? I understand; it did for me at first, too.

This connection with God can manifest in a number of different ways, whether it's writing a book—let's be honest, that's creating a book—or writing a piece of poetry—that's creating poetry. Maybe it's writing (or creating) a song—this can be the musical composition or the words. That's creative. There are a million ways this can come about.

What do you think about gardening? Do you know someone who loves to garden? Think about it: gardening is a form of creating beauty and life and can be a time of cultivating your relationship with Jesus. How many parables in the Bible talk about planting, sowing, reaping, harvesting, and other examples of farming and gardening?

Creating often draws people deep into the heart of God because He is the Creator of all things. We are made in the image of the Creator of life.