I enjoy spending time in nature. Being in nature reminds me of God’s awesomeness and creativity. I especially find myself in awe and wonder when I am sitting by the ocean or am standing on a mountaintop. Earlier this year, I found myself looking out at the Andes Mountains, in Chile, and I was struck by their magnificence.

 

 

They took my breath away. These beautiful mountains that sat as an amazing backdrop to Santiago were incredibly huge and majestic. No matter which angle you looked them from, you couldn’t help but be struck by their presence. I found myself staring in awe-struck wonder, feeling about as big as an ant in comparison. As I stood there, I couldn’t help but acknowledge the marvelous works of God’s hand and recite Psalm 19:1,

“The heavens declare the glory of the God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”

How marvelous are the works of His hands! Looking out at the Andes, I was reminded that God truly is the Great Craftsman, beautifully crafting the earth in all its glory. The sun, the moon, the sea, all the earth was created by Him with such intricate detail. How majestic are the works of His hands!! As I continued my appreciation of the mountains, I stopped seeing the mountains and started to see God more. And I started to see a similarity to faith reflected in these mountains. What does that mean? I’m glad you asked.

God creates and God sustains

These mountains were standing tall and beautiful as a backdrop to the city for all the world to see. They weren’t dependent on the attention of people for their survival but on the provision of their Creator. God was the One that kept the grass and trees alive by providing the sun and the rain. He also kept the mountains from crumbling to a heap on the ground. God provided exactly what the mountains needed to stay beautiful and erect, all the mountains did was receive that which God provided to keep them alive. And by doing that, they reflected God’s beauty and majesty.

Our faith is not much different because it is God that keeps us going. The love of Jesus in us is what sustains us and helps us to reflect His love.

For many of us, our walk with Jesus is one of intimacy and love. It is a soul deep connection with our Saviour that drives our actions and it’s the love of the Holy Spirit that shines out of us. When things are falling apart, it is the strength of our Saviour that allows us to keep going. The Holy Spirit is the One that empowers us to keep writing when all we want to do is close the laptop. His gentle love is what enables us to show grace instead of criticism; when all we want to do is kick out when someone has hurt us, He pours out His love to us so that we can respond with compassion instead.

Matthew 5:16 – let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

And it’s His light shining through us that makes people stop and wonder at our actions. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our lives is what makes us different. This is what helps us to reflect the love, peace and beauty of Jesus. And what makes people ask us how we do it. Or why we do it. Not everyone will see it and truthfully, some just won’t care, but there will be some that will be paying attention. There will be people that will be wondering how you can keep smiling while walking through the fire. Some people will ponder how you can still praise God amid heartbreak. People will read your stories and devotions and poems and start to question if the love and joy you talk about is real and if they can have it.

Because when we depend on God for all we need; when we surrender ourselves to Him and rely on the Holy Spirit completely to give us all we need to get through, we will be filled with His peace and joy. And people will see His peace and love reflected in us. So, surrender again to Jesus today. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you all that you need to get through. And as you receive His love and provision, let your light shine bright that they would see Him in us.