God On The Golf Course?

Usually, I try to write my posts beforehand and really study them to be sure they are just so..... but, I'm just writing this one as the thoughts come to me.  Recently, our pastor spoke about "individual spirituality" versus "corporate worship".  He had some excellent points about people who don't attend church and make the excuse that they find God in other places, like on the golf course or in the garden.  Don't get me wrong.  I believe, as Christians, we benefit greatly from the group worship experience and the fellowship with other believers and I think that should be a regular part of our spiritual experience.  But, I, like those who espouse their "private spirituality", find God in my surroundings.  Maybe the golf course is a little stretch, but one of our members did skip church that same morning of this sermon to play golf and he ended up with a hole in one!  Hopefully, he was praising God!

Many times when I feel worried or stressed or discouraged, God speaks to me through the vivid hues of the sunset across the water, or through the intricate and fascinating details of a single brilliant garden flower, or in the quiet morning watching creation begin a new day.  These are powerful and spiritual moments when, like a river, God's peace and comfort flow over me and carry me through the day's trials and joys with renewed purpose and strength.

Appreciating and truly seeing the natural beauty of creation around us expands our faith.  It is a way we can "see" God.  Faith is believing in something you cannot see, but I think our faith is strengthened when we take time to study and admire God's handiwork because it gives us a small glimpse of the goodness, perfection and magnitude of the God we serve and who we will someday worship face to face!

Be blessed!

Tammy