The earth is the Lord’s, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. Psalm 24:1
What a beautiful world He has made!
How often do you pause and take in the wonder of God via His creations?
I don’t slow down often enough. Do you?
Last weekend I did. It was needed and nurturing.
I was in California for a conference packed with periods of learning, networking, masterminding, and implementation.
Days were long, but my body was still on central time, so I woke at four each morning. Instead of returning to sleep or turning to work, I took advantage of those quiet hours listening to God in His Word and my heart.
When the sun came up, I headed out and ran with no plan or plotted course – just taking in the sights and thoughts that came along the way.
Most runs were around the hotel, but the last day, I took to the hills (they looked and felt like mountains to me) and jogged and hiked along a wilderness trail.
Wonderful.
I’m not a nature/off roads kinda girl, and the sign posted at the park entrance full of wilderness warnings wigged me out – but off I went.
Almost fell (two times) and imagined tumbling down the side of the mountain.
My company was birds, bunnies (nice), bugs, a coyote ?, and I thought every rustle in the brush was one of the poisonous snakes referenced on the sign (not so nice).
But still, it was wonderful.
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalms 19:1
Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep. Psalm 36:5-6
Ah, Lord God! It is you who have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arm! Nothing is too hard for you. Jeremiah 32:17
On the way to the airport, a conference colleague, her daughter, and I stopped by the beach. I’m not a beachy kinda girl – but off I went.
Y’all, it was postcard perfect. Beautiful and relaxing. The weather was ideal with a light salty breeze, and the cadence of the waves was comforting.
I walked barefoot in the warm sand, tipped my toes in the cold Pacific, and soaked in the California sunshine that felt like a hug.
Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, or with the breadth of his hand marked off the heavens? Who has held the dust of the earth in a basket or weighed the mountains on the scales and the hills in a balance? Isaiah 40:12
How many are your works, LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number— living things both large and small. Psalm 104:24-25
How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand— Psalm 139: 17-18
Observing Californians walking, hiking, running, relaxing, playing volleyball and other games I did not recognize, chilling on the beach and balconies of beachfront mansions, etc. – I first thought how blessed they were to live in this gorgeousness where they could see the beauty of God’s handiwork every day.
Then I remembered that blessing is not just for folks that live in paradise-like places. God’s Hand and His nature are before everyone everywhere.
For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. Romans 1:20
Our call is to see and respond. Pause and appreciate.
I will. Will you?
Bonus:
We’ve created 11 desktop or phone wallpaper scripture images (like those pictured below) to help you remember to pause and appreciate God. Click here or the image below and complete the short form to have the download file emailed to you.
