Want to see the glory of God? Go outside.

Lately, in prayer, I’ve been asking the Lord to speak to me more. And to make it undeniable that it is His voice. And lately, I’ve also been getting very clear signs to read scripture more. Coincidence? Goodness, no. What a non- surprise. Yet, I needed to be slapped in the face with that truth that God speaks to us in His word and I have been. Thank you, Jesus.

Randomly last week I flipped to Sirach and read a passage I had never read before. Sirach 42: 15 through Sirach 43:35 –

It’s all about the works of God in nature.

The clear vault of the sky shines forth like heaven itself, a vision of glory. The orb of the sun, resplendent at its rising: what a wonderful work of the most High! At noon it seethes the surface of the earth, and who can bear its fiery heat?

Like a blazing furnace of solid metal, it sets the mountains aflame with its rays; by its fiery darts the land is consumed; the eyes are dazzled by its light.

Great indeed is the Lord who made it, at whose orders it urges on its steeds.

This is just a small portion of the passage. I love it because I thought of this today as I was walking my dog and the sun was shining on me. How great is this gift that we ignore most of the time?

Sunlight is essential for our health – it helps the body produce vitamin D, which is crucial for calcium absorption and immune system strength. Sunlight also increases serotonin, which is called the “feel-good” hormone because it boosts energy and helps our mood.

Incredible, right?

Another small part of the passage-

The beauty, the glory, of the heavens are the stars that adorn with their sparkling the heights of God,

At whose command they keep their place and never relax in their vigils.

A weapon against the flood waters stored on high, lighting up the firmament by its brilliance,

Behold the rainbow! Then bless its Maker, for majestic indeed is its splendor,

It spans the heavens with its glory, this bow bent by the mighty hand of God.

I hope you live in a place in which you can see the stars, and if you do not, I hope the next time you visit a place in which you can, that you think of our creator as you look up at them. When I was a little girl I used to wish upon stars. “I wish I may, I wish I might, have the wish that I wish for tonight.” Now that I am older, I still like to look at them sometimes but now with a prayer rather than a wish. How great is our God that designed the sky this way, with countless stars. His word compares them to the glory of Heaven- if the Earth has all of this beauty, how hopeful are we that Heaven has even greater glory. It’s hard to imagine.

And the rainbow! What a gift! We never tire of seeing the majesty of a rainbow. As this scripture says, we should behold each and “bless its maker” every single time we are blessed to put our eyes on one.

It is easy to get accustomed to our surroundings and forget the beauty that is in front of us each day. This particular section of the Holy bible was a great reminder for me to really take in nature when I go outside. The trees, the birds, the blue color of the sky, the bright sun – they are all gifts to us from our creator. I hope you are inspired to go outside and thank Him for these gifts today.