God's Nature Transforming Nature
"And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them." (1 John 4:16 NIV)
Although the pandemic has brought a lot of changes, especially by bringing things to a standstill, there is great comfort in the fact that nature is continuing to transform. Flowers that were budding are now in bloom. Trees that were budding are now in leaf. Animals that were being born are now appearing outside. Birds that were building nests are laying eggs. Grass is growing well - as evidenced by the fact that people are having to mow their lawns twice a week some weeks. Nature is moving forward and acting, well, naturally. Nature is not at a standstill, but is continuing to transform and move forward. All this is happening because God remains involved and in charge - even of nature. He is making sure nature continues to transform the way it normally does. God is moving things forward.
Where I live, things are moving forward, if slowly. Next week, hair salons and some restaurants will be opening again, albeit with restrictions. Many public venues still remain closed, however. Some churches will be holding public worship services again soon, while others are discussing when to do so. Even though even the weather where I live remains unpredictable (yesterday, for example, was a warm beautiful day, and today it is cold and raining, with even some snow in the forecast in places), God is still active in the transforming of nature, and God is still moving things forward.
He is doing this because He is loving by nature. God's greatest attribute and characteristic is love. He delights in pouring out His love on all people. He is patient, kind, caring, understanding, and loving - it is who He is by nature. He acts entirely out of His nature, out of His instinct, and His instinct is to love and care. He shows His love to us in many ways, especially in the gifts of nature and the outdoors. He shows His love to creation by causing new growth to appear, and moving nature forward. He shows His love to us by being present with us and being actively involved in every situation, even every crisis.
What is more is that even as God is transforming nature by His love, He is also transforming our nature by His love. He is transforming our nature in order to reflect His nature. God is moving us forward. In many ways, He has used the circumstances of this pandemic to move us forward in transformation, by growing our generosity, compassion, and empathy towards others. He has caused us to appreciate the gifts we have, especially of nature and the outdoors, home, family, and community. He has caused us to appreciate each other more, especially as we have had to shelter in place and be separated from each other. He has been transforming us to be more like Him, so that, when this pandemic is over, we will be to love each other and serve our neighbors even more than before. In the midst of the whole situation, God is still acting according to His nature - His nature to love, and transform us by His love.
Dear God, thank you that you are always with me, you are moving things forward, and you are changing and transforming me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
"And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them." (1 John 4:16 NIV)
Although the pandemic has brought a lot of changes, especially by bringing things to a standstill, there is great comfort in the fact that nature is continuing to transform. Flowers that were budding are now in bloom. Trees that were budding are now in leaf. Animals that were being born are now appearing outside. Birds that were building nests are laying eggs. Grass is growing well - as evidenced by the fact that people are having to mow their lawns twice a week some weeks. Nature is moving forward and acting, well, naturally. Nature is not at a standstill, but is continuing to transform and move forward. All this is happening because God remains involved and in charge - even of nature. He is making sure nature continues to transform the way it normally does. God is moving things forward.
Where I live, things are moving forward, if slowly. Next week, hair salons and some restaurants will be opening again, albeit with restrictions. Many public venues still remain closed, however. Some churches will be holding public worship services again soon, while others are discussing when to do so. Even though even the weather where I live remains unpredictable (yesterday, for example, was a warm beautiful day, and today it is cold and raining, with even some snow in the forecast in places), God is still active in the transforming of nature, and God is still moving things forward.
He is doing this because He is loving by nature. God's greatest attribute and characteristic is love. He delights in pouring out His love on all people. He is patient, kind, caring, understanding, and loving - it is who He is by nature. He acts entirely out of His nature, out of His instinct, and His instinct is to love and care. He shows His love to us in many ways, especially in the gifts of nature and the outdoors. He shows His love to creation by causing new growth to appear, and moving nature forward. He shows His love to us by being present with us and being actively involved in every situation, even every crisis.
What is more is that even as God is transforming nature by His love, He is also transforming our nature by His love. He is transforming our nature in order to reflect His nature. God is moving us forward. In many ways, He has used the circumstances of this pandemic to move us forward in transformation, by growing our generosity, compassion, and empathy towards others. He has caused us to appreciate the gifts we have, especially of nature and the outdoors, home, family, and community. He has caused us to appreciate each other more, especially as we have had to shelter in place and be separated from each other. He has been transforming us to be more like Him, so that, when this pandemic is over, we will be to love each other and serve our neighbors even more than before. In the midst of the whole situation, God is still acting according to His nature - His nature to love, and transform us by His love.
Dear God, thank you that you are always with me, you are moving things forward, and you are changing and transforming me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
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