My Favorite Places on Planet Earth
January 18, 2024 | by: Dale Thiele | 0 Comments
Posted in: Pastoral Encouragement
During my years of sojourning on this planet, I have come to value particular locations over others. As I have reflected on why these locations hold a special place in my heart over others, I have come to understand that these locations have directed my heart and mind to the wonders and majesty of God. The psalmist declares, “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge” (19:1-12). The apostle Paul affirms, “[God’s] invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made” (Rom. 1:20). God’s fingerprints are all over creation. And he has intended that his creation would direct our minds to his “invisible attributes.”
Not to diminish the wonder of any part of God’s creation, I want to highlight three of my favorite places on planet Earth. I will share these in the chronological order that I encountered them.
- A Farm Field Outside of Bushnell, Illinois. During my high school years, our church brought a group to central state Illinois to attend the annual musical festival called Cornerstone. It literally was held on 600 acres in the middle of farmland. One night each year my friends and I would take a walk down the dirt road to get away from the crowds and would steal away into a farm field and lay down to look at the stars. I have never experienced a view of the night sky so clear and vivid as those nights. No light pollution from a nearby city. No trees or hills to block a portion of the sky. It was magnificent. Isaiah 40:26 says, “Lift up your eyes on high and see:
who created these? He who brings out their host by number, calling them all by name; by the greatness of his might and because he is strong in power, not one is missing.” The stars remind us of God’s powerful sustenance of creation… and even us.
- Carmel Beach, California. Like the night sky, which can be seen anywhere in the world without light pollution, the ocean can be experienced in more than one location. Carmel Beach, on the central coast of California, however, is one location we visited frequently while living in California. I love the ocean. It is seemingly endless and powerful. And, again, it reminds us of God’s infinite nature and power. One of my favorite hymns appeals to the imagery of the ocean, “O the deep, deep love of Jesus, vast, unmeasured, boundless, free, rolling as a mighty ocean in its fullness over me.” Combining the truth of Scripture that God loves us with the power of creation provides an impactful message.
- Yosemite National Park. One of the items on my “bucket list” is to visit as many National Parks as possible. Every National Park I have visited has drawn attention to some unique work in God’s creation. Yellowstone is formed on top of volcanic activity. The Smokey Mountains display the beauty of rolling hills and mountains covered in the dazzling colors of the forests. The Rocky Mountains rise to high elevations where trees no longer can grow. Yosemite has the shear granite rock cliffs surrounding the valley, with the unique peaks of El Capitan and Half Dome. Then there are the numerous water falls, dropping snow melt into the Merced River. And the Redwoods, massive trees that have no match on earth. I love the variety and uniqueness of Yosemite. It all testifies to the wonderful creativeness of God. He is magnificent for creating such wonders.
I could go on highlighting more locations that have directed my thoughts to the majesty of God. The point, however, is to highlight how creation serves us. We do not worship creation, but creation can and should lead us to worship the Creator. May we have eyes to see and hearts to wonder the marvels of God in creation, and so be moved to worship God, “Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created” (Rev. 4:11).
