I’m not a real big cold weather fan. So when my wife and I go on our annual vacation, we always have to be somewhere where we can see the sunset — preferably under a palm tree on the beach.
Have you ever noticed, whenever the sun is going down, people come out and watch? It’s like a show. They drag out their lawn chairs. They take off their floppy hats and put down their iced lattes. Their mouths go slack, and they go, Oh wow. Look at that …
And the sun is up there, grinning and prancing around, saying, Yeah, keep watching, keep watching. I’m going, I’m going … I’m gone! See ya tomorrow!
Humans have always responded to creation. Why? Because God created you and me to be able to sit under that palm tree and stare at the sunset and know — know that it’s something more than just light from a big gas ball in the sky refracting through particles of moisture and bouncing off water onto our retinas. It’s a message from God.
What does the message say? The Bible says “the heavens declare the glory of God” (Psalm 19:1). The sunset — and everything else in the universe — says that He’s smart. That He’s big. That He’s strong. That He’s creative. That He’s da bomb!
Creation also communicates that He wants a relationship with His creatures. You and me. Thousands of years ago, the writer of Psalm 8 checked out creation and wondered how such a God would bother with little old mankind.
When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers,
The moon and the stars, which You have ordained,
What is man that You are mindful of him? (Psalm 8:3)
What are humans that God is mindful of us? His beloved children. Creation — along with the Bible, prophets, the Body of Christ, dreams and the Holy Spirit — is God’s way of telling us He loves us, and of inviting us to come to Him.
So next time you see a sweet sunset, stop, pull out your lawn chair, and watch the show. Thanks for the message, God.
For more information on the Rock Church go to sdrock.com or follow them on Twitter @therocksandiego and Facebook (The Rock San Diego).
