Drowning out God

We live in an active world where we have to struggle to block out man-made distraction in order to see and hear God's creation.

Think about it: lights, especially in cities, dim the stars. On a clear night where I live I am amazed at the number of stars. But I know that in the middle of nowhere the number of stars that can be seen is shocking. They literally dot the sky.

Buildings block the natural landscape, the rising and setting of the sun; hilly terrain is flattened to allow for "expansion;" billboards trim roads and highways, even buildings; rivers are moved and lakes are dug and filled with water to "beautify" the earth...

How about sounds? The cacophony of engines and other man-made noises distorts or at times silences natural melodies: the birds' chirping, water splashing, insects buzzing, feet crunching on gravel and sticks, leaves flapping against each other in the wind. Sure we hear all those sounds to some degree but other times, the sounds that were intended to fill the world are deadened. God created a world full of music; we've made it a world of noise.

Not only do we miss a lot of the creation that God gave us to marvel at and enjoy, but in nature we can actually see God and and it is one way that we can know that He is:

Romans 1:20 - "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 men are without excuse" (NIV).

And because of all these distractions, it can be hard to see or hear God. God doesn't usually shout at us--if I He does, watch out! But God speaks in a whisper:

1 Kings19:11-12 ~ "Then He said, 'Go out, and stand on the mountain before the LORD.' And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice" (NKJV).

One way to really hear creation is to simply remember that God created it. And if you are inclined, worship Him in it. Psalm 8 is a great reminder of the Creator's creation:

Psalm 8: God's Creation (NIV)
1 O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.

2 From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise ^[b] because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.

3 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,

4 what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?

5 You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings ^[c] and crowned him with glory and honor.

6 You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet:

7 all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field,

8 the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.

9 O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

God of Wonders, Third Day

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