One of the groups of people I admire, are painters. Although there are some paintings that I enjoy from various genres, my typical go-to is realistic art. I have been a longtime fan of now late Bob Ross. I was amazed by his 30-minute programs in which he created a beautiful piece of art. I especially liked his “happy trees” and how he giggled every time he slapped his brush on the easel to remove excess water. He has taught many people to paint using his method including Linda and her mom before her. The replication of landscapes was masterfully done only to be outdone by the One who created that beauty in the first place.
Last Saturday as I was returning home from a conference in Altoona, PA, it was a bright, sunny afternoon. At one particular time, I remember looking to the mountains to the left and hearing in my head (because she was not there) Linda saying, “Keep your eyes on the road.”) Nevertheless, I looked and saw the beauty of God’s painting in the brilliant fall colors of the landscape on the side of that mountain. The saying is true “that pictures can’t tell it all.” Seeing the reds and oranges and yellows with some green still peeking through was truly breathtaking. Bob Ross was able to replicate it but never duplicate it.
Andrew Peterson wrote a song entitled “Nothing to Say.” It is a song about a couple who are driving in Arizona. The lyrics could be of a person driving in Pennsylvania. At one point the writer states in seeing the beauty of God’s creation, “Oh Lord, I never felt so small.” And then come these lyrics.
And the mountains sing Your glory hallelujah
The canyons echo sweet amazing grace
My spirit sails the mighty gales
Are bellowing your name
And I’ve got nothing to say. No, I’ve got nothing to say
Glory, glory hallelujah. Glory, glory hallelujah
Glory, glory hallelujah, hallelujah
Paul reminds us in Romans 1.20, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities — his eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” In context, he was saying that when people look at God’s creation they have no excuse not to believe there is a God. How can they not believe, yet many don’t. But for us who do believe, we can say that when we see the beauty of God’s creation, we have no excuse not to give God glory and praise. Glory hallelujah! And so, let us take a moment when we see God’s creation in every season, to praise him and thank him for being the creator of all things. He is an amazing God.
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