Sometimes when my boyfriend and I go to see a late movie, we hang out in Target for a little while to kill time (mostly because it's the only store in the mall open so late but also to potentially buy ourselves drinks and snacks). We always leave to go to the theater right as the sun is setting; both times I've made Christian stop outside the store so that I could admire the vibrant hues etched across the sky. Such beauty takes my breath away, and I can't help but stand in awe of my Maker, who creates these elaborate decorations every night. Each one is so uniquely beautiful.
I've always believed God is an artist and nature is one of His many masterpieces. It doesn't matter if you step into a forest in fall, drive to the beach in the middle of summer, or go to the mountains when they're covered in snow. You will be surrounded by beauty. It's unavoidable. Every rock, tree, flower, and body of water is divinely inspired. All of creation is. In fact, Luke 12:27 says "Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these." God has made His creation indisputably magnificent so that nature could show us His splendor.
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Some of my favorite moments growing up were spent in wooded areas sitting around a campfire. Enveloped in the blissful sound of an acoustic guitar, a crackling fire, and voices singing praise, I looked up at the stars and felt God's presence all around me. As I deepened my relationship with God, I found Him in different places: in songs, in His people, in nature. Music helped to put my soul in a place of worship, but sunsets were — and still are my favorite reminder of God's glory. Something about them captivates me, stealing my attention and drawing my eyes to the lovely works of my Creator. I find it hard to look away.
Sunsets are special. They are a type of beauty unimagined by human minds. We can only imitate them with artistic tools, creativity, and a sharp attention to detail. Still, paintings, stencils, and photographs cannot do them justice. Sunsets are so enrapturing because they're God's signature on the sky, His awe-inspiring message of love. No wonder we keep trying to re-create them. The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork. — Psalms 19:1
The most incredible part of all, though, is that the same God who hand-crafts each sunset, sculpts every mountain, and makes the waves dance to and from the shore decided long ago that the world would be incomplete without you in it. He sees the same beauty in you that is in every sunrise and every breaking wave. The greatest artist I have ever known chose to give you life because His plan includes you. I don't know about you, but I think that's pretty amazing. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. — Psalm 139:14
