Divine Wonder: Experiencing Creation as Believers

“If a Christian and an atheist are standing side by side watching a beautiful sunset together, who will enjoy the view more?”

This question was posed in a podcast episode I listened to several weeks ago. The hosts unpack how common grace invites both believers and non-believers to enjoy the painted-sky wonder. Christians, however, experience more profound pleasure because of a relationship with the Creator of the sunset. 

For the unbeliever, taking in the beauty of this natural, God-given world is a physical and emotional experience.

For believers, however, creation also has a spiritual and eternal connection. Seeing the vast canyons or the blanket of stars stretching across the expanse brings into context God’s greatness and our smallness. 

For the beauty of the earth, our hearts are drawn to praise and gratitude. In Christ, the part of us that was dead to sin is now awakened to new life – including experiencing this world with divine wonder. 

I think of those videos of people putting on colorblind correction glasses for the first time. Grown adults are reduced to tears when they see vibrant colors as muted palettes come alive. They are awakened to wonder and overwhelmed by the beauty around them.

How has God opened your eyes to His beauty lately?

To Read and Meditate On

Psalm 8

1 O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.

3 When I look at 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, and the son of man that you care for him?

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

To Consider

Step outside, look up and out, and thank God for the beauty you see because of Him today! Write down a prayer of gratitude in your journal for this divine wonder.