July 29, 2026 Midweek News
Happy Wednesday church family,
Question: How does spending time in nature shape your perspective of God? That idea has had me wondering since worship last Sunday. We reflected on week three of our series “Core Faith” by reading Paul’s words about the longing and groaning of creation, and how it matches our own eager anticipation for healing and wholeness.
Can we stay hopeful when creation reveals death and decay? Paul’s answer is “yes!” because the Spirit keeps us grounded in the liberating promise that God is redeeming all creation and making all things new. But sometimes, it can feel difficult to sense God’s presence or ask for God’s abiding strength and help. In his commentary on this scripture, Rev. Dr. Derek Weber writes: “To approach God, we need a better sense of ourselves. We need a proper perspective on who we are. One of the places to grasp that perspective is in the contemplation of nature. You can’t stand on the rim of the Grand Canyon and not be humbled by the grandeur and beauty of the place, overwhelmed by the forces of time and nature that carved this natural wonder.”
As you move through this week, take a moment to sense creation around you and what it tells you about God. Stoop down to notice the details of flowers and gardens. Watch the clouds slowly move across the sky. Watch the flow of a river or the colors of a lake. Who is God the creator in relationship to you?
Blessings,
Pastor Jared