God-centered resources from the ministry of John Piper

(This post is reason #3 in the series, “9 Reasons I’m a Photographer.”)

(Olympic National Park, Washington, USA)

In order to glimpse the glory of God where he hides himself in creation, we actually have to engage with creation.

Edwards describes one of his experiences communing with God in nature:

As I was walking there, and looking up on the sky and clouds, there came into my mind so sweet a sense of the glorious majesty and grace of God, that I know not how to express....

The appearance of everything was altered; there seemed to be, as it were, a sweet calm cast, or appearance of divine glory, in almost everything. God's excellency, his wisdom, his purity and love, seemed to appear in everything; in the sun, moon and stars; in the cloud, and blue sky; in the grass, flowers, trees; in the water and all nature.

And Clyde Kilby recommends that we consider nature simply because it is. That is, simply because God has made it:

I shall open my eyes and ears. Once every day I shall simply stare at a tree, a flower, a cloud, or a person. I shall not then be concerned at all to ask what they are but simply be glad that they are. I shall joyfully allow them the mystery of what Lewis calls their "divine, magical, terrifying and ecstatic" existence.

(Female Impala, Mabalingwe Nature Reserve, Limpopo Province, South Africa)