Nature’s Diamonds

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Alive and Active Life
Alive and Active Life
Nature's Diamonds
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Have you seen white clouds so fluffy you could reach out to touch them? Think about huge sequoia trees that take about 20 people holding hands to form a circle around the base. What about a simple, dainty butterfly alighting your arm for a moment. Waterfalls, majestic mountains, colored leaves, music of songbirds. No doubt – nature is beautiful! Inspiring. What a privilege to absorb the displays, relax in its calm, and explore its wisdom, precision, and wonders. With numbered days, we should ponder Nature’s Diamonds often.

Examples of Nature’s Diamonds

The beauty of creation is all around us. Its wonder is a testimony of God’s glory and presence even in our broken world.

  • Sunshine through a tree branch that looks “other world.”
  • Glint off rock crystals as you pass by.
  • Water beads on a supple green leaf that sparkle as diamonds.
  • Glow of dawn illuminating a window pane.
  • Enchanting mystical fog so heavy, it kisses your face as you walk through it.
  • Shower of tiny diamonds as rain graces your garden.
  • Rainbow – and double rainbow – as Heaven and Nature combine their art.
  • Intense color vibrating from a flower petal.
  • Glisten of thousands of micro-snow gems lighting your crunchy steps over crisp snow at night.
  • Shimmer of ice-coated bare tree branches in the moonlight.
  • Mirage over a desert sea of glass.
  • Display of intense sunset colors.
  • Northern lights painting the latitude and longitude with a magic light show.
  • Glimmer of night fire-flies in a balmy summer evening.
  • Streak of bright gleam off the aerodynamic design of a bird’s wing.
  • Sparkle in a person’s eye as they look into to your soul.
  • Love of God as it refracts through the prism of the cross into your heart.

 

When I take time (not nearly enough!) to sit near my garden – perhaps with a cup of coffee, at times with my Bible opened to read, or with a letter from a friend – I see, hear, feel, and smell the glory of nature. And I’m reminded her diamonds are all around me, waiting to be noticed, holding secrets for my heart. If God cherishes creation’s treasure, shouldn’t I? Shouldn’t you?

God Made Nature’s Diamonds

God deeply values His creation. I believe Jesus immensely enjoyed each tiny glory when He lived on earth. Here is a Scripture that shows how Nature’s Diamonds point directly to God’s existence and glory. “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. (Rom. 1:20)

The wonders of the heavens fill the Psalmist’s writings. Ps. 8 says, “You have set Your glory in the heavens . . . 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 . . . ?”

Shadows of Life

Moments of indulgence in nature’s diamonds help when we need encouragement while living in shadows of life. Sometimes shadows are deep and long. We barely remember the glorious sights, sounds, smells and feel of better days.

Nature’s Diamonds renew our hearts if we let them. If we remember them. In dark times, God can refresh you with droplets of loveliness still present in the world. Sorrow’s shroud can’t eliminate Nature’s Diamonds. Are you looking for them?

God’s own beauty, goodness, love, and faithfulness are yours in real time – and in memory – when you have a difficult path of shadows.

You’re not the only one that suffers from a fallen world. Rom. 8:22 says. “We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.” All of nature’s treasure is waiting for a special day when things will be made perfect again.

When you walk in life’s shadows and dark days pull you down, God wants you to remember He loves you. When you are lonely or desperate, nothing can separate you from His love. Scripture declares, “. . . neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom. 8:39)

So Nature’s Diamonds are here to stay. God had humanity in mind at the dawn of creation.

My Garden Diamond Story

I’m reminded of an experience I had at my most favorite place of residence. I’d like to share it with you.

One day, early on a cool, quiet summer morning, I was having my quiet time with the Lord on my front porch. It rained the night before. Everything was fresh. Inviting. Ever-so pleasant.

With a mug of coffee, my Bible, and pen jotting in my journal – I noticed something in my peripheral vision. Plants in the garden were “moving.” Every few minutes, ever-so slightly. Yet, enough to catch my attention. Not the steady, tender sway from a slight breeze.

What was causing the movement?

Nature’s Diamonds

Crystal-clear, pregnant droplets of rain were gracefully falling from plant leaves to soak into the ground below. As a drop let go of a leaf, that action caused the leaf to bob and sway. Then the leaf slowly returned to its normal stillness.

One droplet in particular caught my eye. It was ready to gently let go and journey down to the earth. But it lingered – a very long time. As I read my Bible, I kept watching that beautiful, translucent sphere of water. Any second.

Defying my expectations, it made its journey, trailing the leaf horizon. Not the natural path in front of it. How much easier to simply let go and softly drop. Through its journey along the edge, it barely clung, overcoming inevitable gravity as the breeze teased the leaf. Anytime. Surely, a release.

That pristine droplet seemed to have a “will” about its direction – a mind of its own. Meanwhile, beautiful clear droplets fell from other leaves, as expected, in the garden. I was fascinated by this unusual diamond phenomenon.

My quiet time ended with the droplet still lingering . . . clinging . . . waiting . . . deliberately not dropping. And I realized how similar this garden event is to our current world situation.

Signs Of The Times

There is noticeable movement around the globe. Not pretty like the scene in my garden. Events catch our peripheral vision as we pour into daily lives. Terrorist groups. Horrific accidents. Storms taunt and wreak havoc. Earthquakes hungrily swallow. Somehow, we continue normal lives despite looming reports – unless we are victimized in an event. Then we grieve and try to rebuild lives.

Centuries before His first visit, God made a promise to come. When the time was right, He gently dropped into the human race as a babe in a manger. What He did during His lifetime changed everything! He followed His unique path along the edge of human issues, addressing them from God’s perspective – not our natural path. Then His cross connected humanity back to God.

A Second Visit

Jesus ascended to Heaven, saying He was going to prepare a place – “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am.” (Jn. 14:3) Strong hint: another visit is imminent.

When will He return? Jesus predicted – “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars . . . there will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences . . . fearful events and great signs from Heaven.” (Mt. 24:6; Mk. 13:7; Lk 21:11)

It appears Heaven’s Glorious Diamond is taking an unsuspecting path down time’s leaf edge. Not predictable. Defying human logic. A mind of His own. Waiting . . . lingering . . . holding out for last minute decisions to accept His treasures.

But at just the right moment, like a thief in the night (1 Thess. 5:2), He will quietly and definitively let go of the place He has fastened Himself to (not willing that anyone should perish – 2 Pet. 3:9) and descend in brilliant glory and power into our unsuspecting, scheduled lives. Clocks will be irrelevant. Responsibilities will diminish. Everything will completely change.

I Missed It

 

I never saw the diamond droplet fall as events of my day called. Yet that tiny Nature’s Diamond still reminds my memory.  I’m sure – when the time was right – it quietly let go of the leaf and made its descent to the unsuspecting ground. And I missed it!

Nature’s Diamonds urge not to miss the glory of each day, the hidden treasures that co-exist alongside sorrows and shadows, and especially the glory of the Son’s return.

Everything will change. You don’t want to miss it.

 

Application Thoughts and Questions

  1. How many Nature’s Diamonds have you counted today?
  2. Are you living fully aware of the glory all around you, despite your sufferings and troubles?
  3. Why not decide to run your life course on God’s edge, in His timing, embracing His best for you?
  4. Why not adopt God’s perspective and observe the beauty He built into each day?
  5. Will you walk with Him on His diamond-lined path?
  6. Make a list of your own observations of incredible treasures God has put in your day.
  7. You have a choice in a world of upheaval. “I calm and quiet my soul.” (Ps. 131:2)

 

Visit our website for devotional materials, articles, podcasts, and resources to help grow your faith in God. Pursue noble character and an Alive and Active Life.

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