Last night Pam and I returned from an extended weekend at my dad’s cabin in Tioga County.  I know we weren’t the only ones because I’ve seen a ton of pictures on social media from many friends who were away for the Independence Day holiday.

I always feel closer to God while out in nature and this is especially true in rural upstate Pennsylvania. There’s something restful about being in a place so remote that your nearest neighbor is a mile away and you can count on one hand the number of vehicles that go down the road on a given day.  In our “normal” lives, even here in Lancaster County, we are always surrounded by noise and busyness.  But up there, things are so… quiet. And that quietness opens my eyes to things I don’t normally see.

Quiet is a relative term, though.  When I say Tioga is quiet, I mean the absence of man-made noise and distraction: automobiles, traffic, industry, TV & radio.  But things are far from silent. There’s the dawn chorus of songbirds, the constant buzz of insects and the breeze rippling through the fields; the chatter of a distant squirrel, caw of an angry crow or the honk of a migrating goose. All these things are around us back in “civilization”, but they are drowned out by a tsunami of manufactured noise and busyness that consume our days. When all these layers are stripped away, I become so much more aware of my surroundings.

Several years ago, Gary Thomas wrote a book called Sacred Pathways: Discover Your Soul’s Path to God.* In it, he lists 9 distinct ways that people can relate to God.  Similar to Gary Chapman’s “Love Languages,” a sacred pathway is the dominant way we connect with God- through service, study, meditation, etc.  People are wired differently, and so there are many ways to hear and respond to God’s voice. But one way is being a “Naturalist” or by connecting to God through the outdoors.  What is it about nature that fosters connection and worship of God for so many people?

Psalm 19 holds the key.

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.  Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. (Psalm 19:1-2)

When we take time to observe the creation, it points us to our Creator.  We can learn much about God through the things he has made. The book of Romans tells us that God’s eternal power and divine attributes can be clearly seen through his creation (Romans 1:20).  So, the glory and majesty of our world directly reflects the creative heart of a loving God.  And I can tell you, God’s attributes were on full display this weekend. God was clearly showing off!

At the cabin, a pair of swallows had built a nest and the babies had just hatched.  So, all day, every day, in constant and continuous motion, the adult birds gathered food and fed their hungry chicks, back and forth, back and forth, from dawn to dusk.  And as I observed them, I was reminded that God never sleeps and that he’s the sole provider of my needs (Philippians 4:19).

Down at the pond a pair of Canadian geese had hatched 4 goslings and were watching over them protectively.  I gave them wide berth, knowing how aggressively a goose will protect their own.  And I was reminded that my Father protects me and I dwell in under the shelter of his wings (Psalm 91:3).

As Pam sat on the porch reading, a pair of baby fauns wobbled out of the tall grass onto the cabin lawn.  These tiny little creatures frolicked together in the warm sun.  And later that day I saw a 4-point buck in velvet, who for the sheer joy of it, bounded across a field in great leaping arcs. These jubilant displays reminded us that God is a God of celebration and created us to experience joy in Him (Nehemiah 8:10).

On and on nature’s parade loudly announced God’s goodness. See that huge, towering tree?  God is our strong tower (Proverbs 18:10). An unmovable rock formation?  God is our firm foundation (Isaiah 28:16). A stunning sunset? God is a God of great beauty (Psalm 27:4).  Take a sip of ice-cold spring water that was in the ground just seconds before? Jesus is our source of Living Water (John 7:37). A trip to the cabin (and the beach) is always an exercise in worship.

So, when you get away this summer and spend some time outdoors, look for the many ways nature points to the attributes and character of our good God.  Our world is “pouring forth” his praise (Psalm 19:2). And if you’re attentive and actively tune your heart to God, you may experience the best worship service you’ve ever attended!

What attributes of God do you see in nature?  List them in the comments below. I’d love to know how nature reveals God to you.

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*For more information on sacred pathways, you can read the book or take this assessment.