Spending time in nature immerses you into an environment that God has created for your good. Nature reminds you that you have a wise and loving Creator who sustains all of creation – including you – in powerful ways. Immersed in nature, you can feel God’s presence and discover the wonder of his work easily.
Every part of nature can reveal something awe-inspiring to you about God’s character. That’s because every part of nature displays evidence of God’s work. While you can’t see God’s spirit physically in our earthly dimension, you can see God’s qualities reflected in nature. Romans 1:20 declares: “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 people are without excuse.”
Nature enlarges your perspective beyond the temporary concerns of your day-to-day life. Its wild beauty can resonate deep in your soul as it reminds you that a powerful Creator cares for you. Simply going outdoors in any natural setting can strengthen your awareness of God’s presence. Whether you’re walking through woods, stargazing, swimming at a beach, or enjoying flowers in a garden, God will meet you there.
Key Bible Verses about Enjoying Nature
“The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.” - Psalm 65:8-9
“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning – the sixth day.” – Genesis 1:31
“Listen to this, Job; stop and consider God’s wonders. Do you know how God controls the clouds and makes his lightning flash? Do you know how the clouds hang poised, those wonders of him who has perfect knowledge?” – Job 37:14-16
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day, they pour forth speech; night after night, they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.” – Psalm 19:1-4
“How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number – living things both large and small.” – Psalm 104:24-25
“But ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.” – Job 12:7-10
“You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.” – Isaiah 55:12
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.” – Matthew 6:28-29
“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?” – Psalm 8:3-4
“Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it. Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.” – Psalm 96:11-12
“Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths, lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding, you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds...” – Psalm 148:7-10
Tips to Help You Discover Wonder in Nature
Anytime and anywhere you step outside, you can find God’s wonder through nature. Use these tips to help you discover wonder in nature.:
Visit different types of natural landscapes. As often as possible, plan to visit diverse kinds of natural settings: forests, deserts, prairies, mountains, oceans, lakes, and more. Plan to visit in all four seasons, at both day and night, in a variety of places. Explore your local area, and take trips to explore other regions when you can. The more you explore, the more you can learn about distinctive wonders God has created around the world.
Incorporate nature into your conversations with God. Go outside in nature to communicate with God. When you can, plan to pray and meditate in nature. That can be as simple as enjoying devotional time in your backyard, or going on a nature walk with God in a local park.
Learn more about God’s qualities from nature’s qualities. Pay attention to specific aspects of nature – such as the sun, water, rocks, trees, and flowers – and consider how they each reflect God’s glory. As you consider what those parts of God’s creation can teach you about God, you’ll naturally be inspired with awe. Let the awe you feel motivate you to worship God and care for creation well.
Learn more in my book Wake Up to Wonder about how you can find wonder while enjoying nature.
Photo Credit: Unsplash/Ray Hennessy
Whitney Hopler helps people discover God's wonder and experience awe. She is the author of several books, including the nonfiction books Wake Up to Wonder and Wonder Through the Year: A Daily Devotional for Every Year, and the young adult novel Dream Factory. Whitney has served as an editor at leading media organizations, including Crosswalk.com, The Salvation Army USA’s national publications, and Dotdash.com (where she produced a popular channel on angels and miracles). She currently leads the communications work at George Mason University’s Center for the Advancement of Well-Being. Connect with Whitney on her website at www.whitneyhopler.com, on Facebook, and on X/Twitter.