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by John Doyle

During one summer break from work I took my family to Sabie River. I wanted to give them a special holiday as we had a very busy year. It was our first time going there since moving from the UK. It was quite an adventure and we got introduced to parts of South Africa that over the years we grew to love. We saw so much beauty in the Kruger Park and around the Lakes and often I would just marvel at the Beauty and the majesty of Gods creation.

I remember one night sitting outside our chalet and looking at the Full moon over the mountains and it was so special just seeing the beauty it brought to the dark night. Everything all around was illuminated by the brightness of the moon. I did not have the words to describe the experience, and now, many years later I still remember it as if it was yesterday.
 
The Scriptures have much to say about the positive things of Gods creation in this world describing an appropriate love for the goodness of God in providing for His creation. Whenever the sun goes down and we see the brightness of the moon it reminds of this past experience. To see the moonlight when it spreads across our lawn it reminds me afresh of the Beauty that the Lord has given to us and to remind us of Who He is.
 
Likewise, when we see God’s wonderful creation of man and women and the World He gave to us. God gifted us with this World to bring peace and harmony to all peoples and this was confirmed in the sacrificial gift of His son Jesus. He made it possible despite all the trials and tribulations, for us to know and love Him and appreciate all of those many things that He brings into our lives that are Bright and Beautiful. We as Gods people should be so grateful for His extravagant generosity. There’s something more we must to do honor the God we serve.
 
Firstly, God is the Creator of everything that exists, and everything He creates is good. Genesis commences with the most foundational words in the Bible: “In the beginning God…” This planet and all it contains exists because the Lord has spoken them into being. Concluding each aspect of His creation Gods Word tells us “God paused” relishing the magnificent fruit of His labor, and said, “Now that’s Good.”
 
After night and day, creating prairies and mountains, and making great Mountains and Trees and flowers across the landscape of the World, God proclaimed – GOOD
 
Hebrew scholars tell us that another translation for GOOD would be “BEAUTIFUL.” I imagine God watching the tide roll over the shore or a flock of geese cut across the sky, admiring it all with deep pleasure. It would be good when we find ourselves in a similar moment and moved to a similar response, we can remember how we bear God’s image and, like our Creator, know true Beauty when we see it.
 
We need to be grateful for His extravagant generosity. Not only has He given us His son and this world we live in but He has also given to us Family and Loved ones and I am sure you will agree with me that they are BRIGHT and BEAUTIFUL in each of our lives. My wife Barbara is Brighter than me and so much more BEAUTIFUL ⚘❤
 
Secondly the Lord continues to love and sustain His creation, despite the ways that so many in this world are so corrupt and violent. Tragically, there is a lot of human rebellion that has affected many in this world. Paul says that the whole of creation groans with pain, awaiting God’s redemption – Rom. 8:19-23. However, God continues to love the earth and people in it, He made. The first Bible verse many of us memorized assures us that “God so loved the world” and that this love extended all the people of the World.
 
Even more, God’s grace and mercy continues to sustain the earth. In Colossians, Paul explains how God reveals His own splendor and beauty through the wonders of this World. “The whole earth is full of His glory,” Isaiah tells us – Isa. 6:3.
 
Finally God promises to renew creation, refusing to abandon the World He loves. The Lord will not forsake this world but rather promises to restore it, healing the whole of creation. Revelation 21:1 describes His plans for the future as “a new heaven and a new earth.” When God has the final word, the earth will flourish. It will, at long last, be just as He intended. God will transfigure the very ground where we live and work, the very places where we often feel so futile and wonder if anything will ever be beautiful again. In His TIME, He will make all things BEAUTIFUL IN HIS TIME.
 
Lets remember God has named us as stewards of His creation, a calling for us to tend to His world and the gift of Children and Family with care and affection. Like Adam and Eve, we must tend to whatever the Lord gives us, working to make our lives and those of our family fruiitful. Lets give thanks to God for the Brightness and Beauty He has entrusted to each of our lives and let’s give time and energy for us to help Family and friends to become more BRIGHTER and More BEAUTIFUL for God and for each other.
 
In the Love of the Lord Jesus,
John and Barbara
 
Time to sing with me: All Things Bright and Beautiful
 
All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful: The Lord God made them all.
He gave us eyes to see them, And lips that we might tell
How great is God Almighty, Who has made all things well.
All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful: The Lord God made them all.

This Post Has One Comment

  1. Caryl Moll

    Such a bright and beautifully written piece😘. Thank you, John! I’ve been hankering after such a post for a while now – simply because it echoes my own need to live the Victory.
    God bless you and Barbara. Your joy is contagious – just as it should be. 🤗

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