Radiate: 14 Devotions to Reflect the Heart of JesusSample

Nature’s Reset

Worthy are you, our LORD and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created. REVELATION 4:11 ESV

We see it all around us. The sunrise wakes us up as the birds chirp and greet us before our days begin. The consistency of its presence reminds us that no matter the uncertainties that life throws our way, fresh mercy will always await us and the sun shall rise again. The lush hydrangeas bloom and cover our yards as the wild oaks and magnolia trees cast their shade.

The seasonality of the flowers and the color of the leaves are a visual reminder of the seasons that we will walk through—some may feel harder than others, but all are necessary for our growth. Our roots are always revealed when the change comes and we are reminded of what sustains us—the hope of glory.

The ocean waves crash along the shoreline, and the vastness of the sea extends for miles. The tide patterns, the life the ocean supports, and the way the blues change colors, revealing the different depths—it is magnificent. Much like the transitions in our own lives, the waves continue to come no matter who stands in their way. Like pearls in oyster shells that toss and turn until their true beauty can be revealed, we are refined through enduring the hardship, not by escaping it.

The mountain’s peak surpasses the fog in the sky, and its snow-covered tip is picturesque. The mountaintop view is indescribable, but there is no substitute for the hard work it takes to get there. Our lives are a journey, and we must learn to find joy along the way. Step by step, we begin to discover that the perseverance, grit, and strength gained with each step were actually the point of it all. The view at the top is a bonus.

Nature shows the splendor of the Lord on full display. It is full of all kinds of different forms, timelines, and habitats. It showcases the brilliance of God by its mere existence. His handiwork requires no preparation to exhibit beauty—it must just simply be. Everything we see radiates the power, wisdom, and love of Jesus.

When we forget who is in control or we find ourselves too much in our own heads, getting out in nature always provides a quick restart. We are reminded that He is in control, His creativity is unmatched, and His hands are always at work. Noticing how the Creator so obviously radiates in the world around us often helps re-center us as we remember that His fingerprints are everywhere.

Hey Jesus, thank You for the beauty that is so apparent around me. Your fingerprints are seen in every space, and Your brilliance is vast in expression. Remind me to get outside, open my eyes, and be sensitive to the blessings that You’ve made. In Jesus’ name, amen.