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A number of years ago, John and I decided to take a summer vacation in western Canada. We chose to go in a recreational vehicle (RV) so that we could take my younger sister with us. John and I rented the RV and made arrangements to pick up Kathy while going through Saskatchewan.
We were travelling to Alberta, the Northwest Territories, Yukon, and British Columbia. The Rocky Mountains of Alberta were beautiful but the mountains of British Columbia were breathtaking. The height of these mountains was a huge surprise. We all said, "Canada is a marvellous, spectacular creation of God from British Columbia to Newfoundland."
All I could think of was this verse: "O Lord, what is man that you care for him, the son of man that you think of him? Man is like a breath; his days are like a fleeting shadow." (Psalm 144:3-4 NIV)
When we look at God's creation all around us, we need to marvel that He chose humanity to care for it. The creation story in Genesis tells us that God first made everything that would be needed to sustain humanity, then He made mankind. When He looked at the land, the sea, and the living creatures that He had made, "God saw that it was good" (Genesis 1:25b NIV), but after man was created, "God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. (Genesis 1:31a) And He gave it all to mankind to take care of.
John, Kathy, and I enjoyed seeing the wild animals on the hills and roadways. We were in no hurry to end our vacation. Being retired made it easy to change our plans.
It is wonderful to watch the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and the creatures of the land and know that they were all created by God. It is amazing to think that God loves all of us human beings, and that He made us with a spirit so that we could worship Him.
We can read of God's love for humanity in many verses all through God's Word. A favourite that I learned as a very young child in Sunday school was:
John 3:16 – For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (NIV)
Do we appreciate God's creation all around us? Are we good caretakers of all that He has made? Are we destroying creation, or are we leaving it better for the next generation?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we pray that we would care for Your creation as You commissioned us. We pray that people throughout the world would recognize their responsibility to You and care for Your creation. We pray that the leaders of our country would make the right decisions. Amen.
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Well said, Ruth.
Thank you for sharing today’s message, Ruth!
Thanks for your insight!!
Have a great day.
Keep writing.
It is almost too much to know mankind was created to take care of all else when we see such a poor job being done by us. Enjoyed your devotion yet again.
Thank you, Ruth, for sharing your travel experience and reflecting on all the beauty of God’s creation. Yes, we truly have much to enjoy in the world God created for us and so important that we give much praise and care for all creations. Blessings for your very special writing.
Good morning, Ruth,
I very much enjoyed your journey with you as you enjoyed the wonders of God and what God has provided for all mankind. I was smiling as I remembered the first time I saw the mountains in British Columbia a very long time ago.
The Bible passages enhanced your story that we are the caretakers of His world and we have a responsibility to do our best.
I joined in your prayer because it is so important to keep aware of how important prayer is in this world. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and journey. Blessings.
Good Morning Ruth,
Thank you for your devotional reminder of our natural blessings. Before my husband retired, we lived in a very large city. It assumed a small-town atmosphere for us, as on our block lived five families who all worshipped at the same church. When my husband retired, we moved to rural Central Texas where we live on a ranch and are able to enjoy God’s natural wonders every day. (Had a few doubts this summer when the temperature stayed over 100 degrees for weeks and we had NO RAIN.). Nonetheless, your devotional reminded me of our personal blessings to be able to live in this beautiful setting.
Thank you.
(Texas)
Thank you, Ruth!
Thank you for your beautiful devotional.
Thank you, Ruth. It’s a blessing to travel and see the world God created.
Nature has a spiritual message. Fall, leaves have fallen, garden is dead but come spring new life will appear.
Thanks, Ruth,
Always the big question before us: “are we leaving God’s creation in better condition for having passed through it?”
Blessings.
Ruth, What a lovely expression of praise for God’s handiwork as manifested across the nation of Canada. It’s there for us to enjoy!
It occurs to me that the best way to care for creation is by finding satisfaction in God’s love. For when He is altogether satisfying, we find no need to exploit nature to satisfy our discontent and sinful cravings. – ex materialism, power, self-image, affirmation, pride, grandiosity, etc.
That thought causes me to pray: Lord empower us to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ (Eph. 3:18). May Thy kingdom come into the hearts of Canadians through your new Life birthed within.
Very nicely said.