Childlike Faith
There’s a lot to be said about the letter B. 3,000 words in the English language begin with said letter. In the mind of a 5 year old, blueberries and butterflies are the most magical of all.
Blueberries fit perfectly into her little fingers which transport the blue spheres into her mouth and down to her ever so impatient tummy. “Why are they blue, Mommy?” Not wanting to bore her with any “scientific” reasons and eager to tell her about the many wonders of God’s creation, I happily explain how He has provided us with all the nourishment we need in the plants and animals around us. I also appease her want for a direct answer by narrowly explaining that the “good stuff” inside of the berries is what gives them their color. Once satisfied with my lecture she quickly moved on to butterflies. “Why did He make butterflies, Mommy?” I could see this was rapidly becoming the perfect opportunity to explain to her how God reveals His existence through nature, one “science” lesson I have been anxiously awaiting. We have read the Bible’s account of the story of creation in Genesis, and often talk about how God created the earth, animals, and mankind. But for her inquisitive mind, “because the Bible says so” isn’t quite the answer she seeks. Thus began my mission to help my little one see not only the beauty in nature, but the divine purpose thereof.
Romans 1:19-20 says, “because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:”
God created the earth not only for mankind to live, but to reveal to mankind His very existence. Through nature, His divine glory is declared.
“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun, Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race. His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.” Psalm 19:1-6.
The heavens above us, and the earth around us, all display God’s perfect craftsmanship. Every star shining in the night sky is meticulously placed. The moon is positioned perfectly to provide not only light in the darkness, but to essentially make life on earth possible. Does anyone honestly believe that a gravitational pull happened by chance? This was clearly a thought out process created by a personally involved creator.
Have you ever witnessed the sun setting across the ocean? The water stills and turns into a million crystals glistening in unison as if on display. The orange sun shines through the clouds sending a wave of glorious pink, purple, and blue shades across the evening sky. A masterpiece that has often been forged on canvas but never truly able to be mirrored.
These breathtaking views are a constant revelation of God’s existence, “day unto day…night unto night,” the Psalmist says. “There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world.”
In other words, there is not one person, despite the thousands of languages spoken on earth, who cannot understand natures proclamation. The heavens and the earth speak for themselves. The earth beneath our feet sprouts new life at the first scent of Spring, when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky, Summer reveals her glory, leaves change color at Autumns call, and though everything pleasant and warm disappears in winter, what a beautiful story it tells of redemption.
To a child, this is all the explanation needed. For Ally, her wondering of blueberries and butterflies just became that much more magical. She’s a child lost in the vastness of God’s creation, appreciating her beauty more intently, more satisfactorily. What a wonderful thing it is, the innocent mind of a child. If only the world could be more like children, how harmonious it would be.
“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Matthew 5:8