Divine Satisfaction!

This past week-end Em and I had the privilege of taking 7 of our Senior High teens to Cayo Costa State Park which is located just of the coast of Florida near Cape Coral.   There was a lot of work required not only to plan the event, but also to transport people and gear to the campsites, set up tents, and prepare meals.  Three other leaders did a tremendous job of helping out (without them I’d probably be lying exhausted on a beach somewhere) , and the teens pitched in as well. When everything was finally set up the group had a great time enjoying the beach, the boating and spending time playing games together.

My favorite part of the week-end came that first night as the group sat around the campfire.  We doused the lanterns and looked up into the sky.  Here on an island with almost no electricity we were able to stare out into the night sky and see so many stars.  I asked the group to put their first reaction into one word. “Incredible”, “Infinite”, “Wow”, “Amazing”, “Awesome” were the words that came back.   I then asked if any scripture came to mind, and the first response was “The Heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament displays His handiwork (Psalm 19:1).”  We then discussed the importance directing our awe and wonder toward God and not toward creation.   When staring at the sky we marvel at its vastness, but then to consider that its Creator is even larger.  One teen mentioned that there are stars that we cannot even see, which points to the beauty that God lavishes upon creation, beauty that exists despite the lack of human eyes to appreciate it.  All this points to the “Infinite, Incredible, Amazing and Awesome” Creator.

There was another Scripture passage that came to mind.  This one found in Romans 1:18-21.   Paul writes to the church at Rome:

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.  For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.”

The sad reality is that while creation serves as a catalyst to worship the Creator for the believer, for the unbeliever creation witness against them before their Creator.  The same stars that lead me to want to break out in songs of praise to my Savior will leave the unbeliever without any excuse when he stands before his Judge.

What terrible beauty!