Many years ago when I was in college, I decided to drive home for an extended weekend. It was a four-hour drive mostly on I-95, so it was a relatively easy drive.
As I was nearing the Titusville area I noticed a rainstorm off to the east. As I watched, a rainbow started to form. Within a very short span of time, a full rainbow appeared. And it was very bright, standing out vividly from the dark rain clouds behind it.
I pulled to the side of the road so I could appreciate the beauty of it. I wasn’t alone. There were about a dozen other vehicles that pulled over to witness this dazzling spectacle.
In time, the rainbow faded, everyone got back into their vehicles and continued their journey. I was awestruck. I remembered the promise of God to never destroy the earth again with a flood. I marveled at the wonder of God’s creation and the number of things I tended to take for granted. While I drove on I thanked God for the reminder of the wonders of his creation.
God created this world to be enjoyed by humanity. It is full of wonders and joys. Natural beauty abounds. Natural music abounds, whether it is the in the music of a babbling brook, the roar of a waterfall, a wind blowing through the trees, or the singing of birds.
Blessings flow from God unceasingly. They surround us each day. They touch us in many ways. The challenge for us is to not be so distracted by events that we miss noticing and enjoying these gifts, these miracles, these wonders that God gives us.
Psalm 8 answers a question: “Why would God do this for us?” The answer lies in the fact that God created us for his pleasure to love us and shower us with his blessings.
“O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!” God’s handiwork is found everywhere. His name is praised by living creatures. His name is above all names, and we are to proclaim that in our own voices and actions.
“Your glory is higher than the heavens.” God’s majesty, and not ours, is the focus of our worship and our lives. We are to lift God in our hearts, minds, and souls to the highest heights imaginable.
“You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength, silencing your enemies and all who oppose you.” The simplicity of a child’s faith is the very strength of their faith. Jesus reminds us we are to receive him as little children do – without complicating matters, and by maintaining a child-like faith – not a childish faith.
“When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers – the moon and the stars you set in place – what are people that you should think about them, mere mortals that you should care for them? Yet you made them only a little lower than God and crowned them with glory and honor.” Compared to the greatness of God, we are nothing. But God has elevated us to a place of honor. He has chosen to create us, to love us, to care for us. We can rejoice in this every moment of every day!
“You gave them charge of everything you made, putting all things under their authority – the flocks and the herds and all the wild animals, the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea, and everything that swims the ocean currents.”
God has given us this whole world to enjoy – not destroy. Everything is under our authority. Can you understand that level of generosity? Can you understand the depth of God’s love for this creation and for each one of us that God has so freely given? When you meditate on this you will begin to get a small inkling of the depth of God’s loving kindness.
“O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!” Yes, his name is majestic. It fills the earth.
It all comes down to the love of God. God has provided so much. He has provided this world as a gift to us. He has provided the gift of free choice. He has provided grace. He has provided the ability for us to turn from our improper and poor behaviors to find forgiveness. He has provided the key to eternal life with him in Jesus Christ, our Lord.
What a generous God we have!
The Rev. Mark Broadhead is pastor at Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: BROADHEAD: God made the world to be enjoyed by humanity