THE GOOD NEWS COMES CLOSER

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Genesis 1:1-12; Revelation 22:1-2; Colossians 1:16-17

Introduction

Dear members of our Christian faith community, today, I invite you to embark on a journey of reflection—a reflection on the beauty of God that surrounds us in our environment. As we look upon the world around us, we have the opportunity to witness the divine artistry of our Creator, to see God's fingerprints on the canvas of creation.

You will agree with me that it is easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of our responsibilities and to overlook the wonders that are right before our eyes. But today, let us pause and take a moment to appreciate the beauty of God in the environment.

In the book of Genesis, we are told that God created the universe and all that is in it out of nothing - 'ex nihilo'. From its formlessness and emptiness, with the Spirit of God hovering over the waters taking away the darkness from the deep (Gen. 1:1-2). God created the world, from the magnificent mountains to the delicate petals of a flower, from the vastness of the oceans to the intricacy of a spider's web, the beauty of creation is a testament to the divine artistry of our Creator. Our environment is the masterpiece, the canvas painted by the hand of God. And God actually saw them to be good and blessed them (Gen. 1:21).

This is what King David writes, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands" (Psalm 19:1). He adds on to say, even though the environment is speechless, wordless, and voiceless, "Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world." (Psalms 19:4)

Indeed, when we gaze at the vast expanse of the starry night sky or marvel at the intricate details of a blooming flower, we are presented with a profound testimony to the beauty and majesty of our Heavenly Father. Our environment, from the towering mountains to the whispering forests, from the ebb and flow of the tides to the gentle rustling of leaves in the wind, is a reflection of God's creative genius. It is a reminder that our God is not just a distant deity but an artist who delights in crafting beauty for us to behold.

This beauty of God in His creation from the beginning, we are told that they would be restored. It was revealed to John in Rev. 22 that Eden shall be restored in the celestial city,

"Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations."

(Revelation 22:1-2).

Reflecting the Beauty of God

Precious one, the beauty of God in our environment is not limited to the grandeur of nature; it is also found in the faces of those around us. In the laughter of children at play, in the kindness of a stranger's smile, and in the warmth of human connections, we see the beauty of God's love and grace manifest in our daily lives. If Christ holds all creation together and Christ is in you, you are to reflect this beauty in your connection with one another in love and peace. 

Our demonstration of the Christ kind of life brings the reality that "For in [Christ] Him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through [Christ] Him and for [Christ] Him." (Colossians 1:16).

Beloved in Christ, are you reflecting the beauty of God to the environment by being generous, kind, and loving? Remember, if others do not see and feel the beauty of God in their environment because of you, it is a SIN! 

Our Stewardship

Reflecting on the beauty of God in our environment also calls us to a deeper appreciation of the world in which we live. It prompts us to be mindful of our role as stewards of this precious gift. We are entrusted with the responsibility to care for and protect the environment, recognizing that it is a sacred trust from our Creator. In the goodness of creation, God charged you and I to "take care of them" (Gen. 2:15).

Apart from living in the beauty of Christ, remember your responsibility over your environment. The littering, open defecation, galamsey, deforestation, littering, and all human actions to destroy the environment is a SIN before God. I am just wondering, do you know you can miss Heaven because you have made your environment dirty? Just take your time and reflect on this text Deuteronomy 23:12-14.

Our Gratitude

Reflecting on the beauty of God in our environment leads us to a profound sense of gratitude. Gratitude for the gift of life, for the privilege of witnessing the wonders of creation, and for the love that God showers upon us. Gratitude opens our hearts and allows us to connect more deeply with the divine presence in our lives. A heart of gratitude places value on the given gift.

Beautifying our environment by growing flowers, and trees, decorating, painting, cleaning, and so on is our way of saying, Lord, I am grateful for the gift of the environment I find myself. I grew up assuming that, keeping our environment clean and decorative is for occasions only. Because the common phenomena caught up with me; we only painted our houses for funerals and decorated our homes for marriage ceremonies. This is not what God is demanding from us. We are to be grateful by making our environment reflect the beauty of God ALWAYS.

Our Hope

Again, in times of challenge and uncertainty, when the weight of the world presses upon us, reflecting on the beauty of God in our environment can be a wellspring of hope and strength. If out of nothing [ex nihilo] God created this beautiful environment, I am hopeful that, God can actually bring the best I seek to me always. Child of God, God is with you at all times. 

The beauty of the environment reminds us that God is with us, that His beauty is ever-present, and that we are part of a grand tapestry woven by the divine hand of God. The Creator has never abandoned His creation. As all things were created in Him, through Him, by Him, and for Him, Christ also holds all creation together. Therefore our hope is built in His ever-living presence with us, evidenced in the beauty of His creation. Jesus Christ says, "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)

Conclusion

As we conclude our reflection today, I encourage each of you to take time in the coming days to intentionally seek out the beauty of God in your environment. Whether it's through a walk in nature, a moment of quiet contemplation, an act of kindness toward others, or a smile, let us strive to see and appreciate the beauty of God that surrounds us. 

In doing so, may we draw closer to our Creator, protect our environment, deepen our sense of gratitude, and find inspiration and strength in the beauty of God's presence. For in the beauty of our environment, we encounter a glimpse of the infinite beauty of the One who formed it all, Jesus Christ, the alpha and the omega. Amen.

Shalom aleikhem...