Spiritual giant Martin Luther once made the claim that God writes the gospel, not in the Bible alone, but also on trees, and in the flowers and clouds and stars.

Poet Elizabeth Barrett Browning wrote, “Earth is crammed with heaven, and every common bush afire with God; but only he who sees takes off his shoes…”

In our scriptures, Psalm 8 begins by praying, “O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth.” In Hebrew thought, a person’s name was not just a word — but a person’s name also represented their character, essence, and presence. O Lord, how majestic is your presence — your essence — your power in all the earth.

Think about those times when you’ve seen an awe-inspiring sunset; or when you’ve been on a mountaintop and it’s breathtaking; or you’ve been on the ocean and you have watched the pelicans soar just above the breakers. It’s moments like these when we feel connected to something so much bigger. It’s moments like these that you can almost feel God’s presence, right there.

Today, if you are able, try to get outside and enjoy God’s good creation. If you are not able, spend some time looking out a window. Take a walk in your mind’s eye. Look around at God’s handiwork. And give thanks.

Let us pray: O God, we don’t have to look far to see your fingerprints — in the stars, the sunrise, the movement of the ocean, and the reflection of trees on a pond. We also see your fingerprints right here in the beauty of the people all around us. Help us never fail to notice — and help us never fail to give thanks. We love you, Lord. Thank you for loving us. Amen.