Discover how nature reflects God’s glory and draws us into worship. Let beauty open your heart to His presence, sparking awe, delight, and deeper devotion.

Worship…

Have you noticed that worship cannot be achieved through a formula or a method? Are you discovering that a  worshiping life is about Who God is and what He has to say? It is about drawing close, entering in so we can enjoy God, hear His words to us, and be transformed by His presence.

We learn to live a balance of seeking with our whole heart longing for God without stepping over into a legalistic, wrist-slapping earn-it mentality. This is a delicate balance between thirsting for God’s presence rather than working for God’s approval. It is that invisible place of acceptance where we simply desire to know God with a heart wide-open, order ready to receive and ready to worship.  Today we are going to let creation open our hearts to worship God.

What Do You See? Who Do You See?

One morning I am canoeing in the fog, air crisp-cool. Mist floats on the water. Beauty surrounds me and peace covers my soul like a warm blanket. The Spirit moves and I wonder why is it easier to “feel” worshipful when I see beauty?

Earthly beauty is a reflection, here a tiny taste of God’s glory. We see and hear in tangible ways through what He has created.. It is an experiential seeing and listening, and our heart worships, we appreciate the wonder of God, Creator King. It helps us look beyond the hurry-scurry tasks of today, past the problems and questions that often plague us.

We experience more of God through what He has made. We lose ourselves in the grandeur of God. We are blessed. Refreshed. We have before our appreciating eyes, testimony—evidence—of the creative power and infinite variety of God. Built within our hearts is this capacity to recognize God’s existence in the majesty of what He has created.

“For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.”–Romans 1:20

The beauty of nature: The Revelation of God.

“…Nature is not God but God revealing the weight of Himself, all His glory through the looking glass of nature.”—Ann Voskamp

“The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands. ² Day to day pours forth speech, And night to night reveals knowledge. ³ There is no speech, nor are there words; Their voice is not heard.”—Psalm 19:1-3

Yes, there is great purpose and meaning in beauty.

Beauty whispers to our too-often-stifled desire to worship–it dovetails with purpose and calling–we were made to worship. Worship includes beauty—in many ways, beauty is a call to worship and pulls forth a God-hungry response in our soul.

“One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord And to meditate in His temple.”–Psalm 27

Worship Tip: Appreciate the Beauty of Nature

Our generous, gift-giving God has love-crafted us with five senses with which we can enjoy beauty, drink it in through hearts hungry for more of God.

“Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see—
how good God is.
Blessed are you who run to him.

Worship God if you want the best;
worship opens doors to all his goodness.

 Young lions on the prowl get hungry,
but God-seekers are full of God.

Come, children, listen closely;
I’ll give you a lesson in God worship.

Who out there has a lust for life?
Can’t wait each day to come upon beauty?”—Psalm 34: 8-12 The Message

Ann Voskamp writes, “And whether I am conscious of it or not; any created thing of which I am amazed it is the glimpse of His face to which I bow down. Do I have eyes to see Him and not the thing?” 1000 Gifts, p. 112

Today’s Worship Challenge:

Enjoy beauty today. Take delight in God’s beauty revealed all around you.  Breathe deep, letting delight spark deep appreciation for the beauty of God.

Let all things beautiful open the eyes of your soul to God’s goodness. Enjoy this version of This is My Father’s World with beautiful nature video to spark your worship today.

Join me tomorrow for Day 8 of the Challenge! Leave me a comment to let me know what you’ve liked best about the challenge so far.

Copy the linked list below to a note on your phone or bookmark this page for easy reference for each day’s challenge!

Your Christmas Worship Challenge Roadmap

1. Worship Like a Wise Man
2. The Glory of Christ
3. Both Child and Mighty God
4. Four Ways to Love God
5. God With Us
6. Two Ways to Exalt Christ This Christmas
7. A God who Speaks
8. Let Beauty Spark Your Worship Today
9. Make it Beautiful
10. Give God Glory: Put on You’re Dancing Shoes
11. A Lesson From the Christmas Shepherds
12. Make it Known: Another Lesson from the Shepherds
13. Treasuring and Pondering: Meditation of the Heart
14. Fullness of Grace: The Divine Multiplier
15. How to Find Joy
16. Worship by Giving the Gift of Prayer
17. Believing God: The Rest of Peace
18. Break Out of Your Worship Rut
19. Christmas Through the Eyes of a Child
20. The Worship of Gratitude
21. Celebrate Christmas: Give God the Gift of Yourself
22. Why You Should Sing in the New Year with a New Song
23. We Don’t Worship Alone
24.  Practical Tips to Deepen Your Worship Now
25.  More Tips to Deepen Your Worship Now
26. Worship You Don’t Want to Miss