The Outdoors Points us to the Creator
A snow-capped mountain, a burning sunrise, a star-filled sky, or the intricate details of a wildflower can stop us in our tracks. Some see these wonders as the result of random chance. Scriptures instructs us to see them as signs of the wisdom, power, and generosity of a loving God, our Creator.
Creation invites us to seek the One who made it all. The gospel tells us how we can know Him through His Son, Jesus Christ. Here, we explore that connection, from the wonder we experience outdoors to the good news of forgiveness, grace, and eternal life in Jesus.
It would be a shame to appreciate the beauty of creation and miss the One who spoke it into existence. It is not a trivial point. If we miss the Creator in this lifetime, it has eternal consequences in the next. The good news is that we don’t have to miss it as He promises that “The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” (Psalm 145:18 NIV)
What Creation Reveals about God
When we explore the outdoors, we encounter beauty, complexity, and order, from the vastness of the night sky to the smallest details of a living cell. Scripture teaches that creation reveals God’s glory and makes His power and divine nature known (Psalm 19:1; Romans 1:20).
The world around us gives us reasons to wonder, ask questions, and seek our Creator. Every trail can become an opportunity to pause, give thanks, and consider the One who made it all.
Yet creation alone doesn’t tell us everything. To understand who God is, why we need forgiveness, and how we can know Him, we turn to His Word and to Jesus Christ.
Knowing the Creator
The God who made the mountains, oceans, and stars also made you. You are created in His image, with dignity, value, and purpose (Genesis 1:27). He knows you personally and does not want you to spend eternity apart from Him (2 Peter 3:9).
God has revealed Himself most fully through His Son, Jesus Christ. Through Jesus’ life and teaching, we see God’s holiness, compassion, and love. Through His death and resurrection, He opened the way for us to be reconciled to God (John 1:18; Romans 5:10).
But why do we need reconciliation? To understand the good news of Jesus, we first need to understand what separates us from God.
Our Need for a Savior
God is holy and righteous, yet every one of us falls short of His righteousness. The Bible calls this sin. It includes the wrong we do and the attitudes of our hearts. All of us have sinned and fall short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23)…all of us.
Sin separates us from God. We cannot repair that relationship simply by being kind, enjoying His creation, attending church, or trying harder. We need forgiveness and a Savior. Remember, no scale weighs good vs. evil. Any evil (or sin) disqualifies us from God’s presence.
But God has not left us without hope. Because He loves us, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to rescue us from sin and bring us into a restored relationship with Him (Romans 5:8).
Don't All Religions Lead to God?
That’s a popular idea, but it defies logic. You could logically say that all roads except Jesus lead to God. Or even that there is no God. But the final option is from the words of Jesus Himself when he said ““I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6 NIV).
But I go to Church?
Attending a church, even one that teaches genuine scripture, reciting a prayer or doing good deeds are not enough for reconciliation with God. This may explain the terrifying verses in Matthew 7:21-23 where, at the final judgement, some will say didn’t we do this or do that? And Jesus will tell them to depart from Him forever into eternal punishment. Scary? Well, I am scared for anyone that will meet that fate.
The Good News (Gospel) of Jesus Christ
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, lived without sin and willingly died on the cross for our sins. He took the judgment we deserved so that we could receive forgiveness. He was buried, and on the third day He rose again, defeating death (1 Corinthians 15:3–4).
His resurrection is the foundation of our hope. Jesus is alive, and through Him we can be reconciled to God and receive eternal life.
Salvation is God’s gift, received by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. We cannot earn it through good deeds or religious effort (Ephesians 2:8–9). Our hope rests in what Jesus has done for us.
The Creator whose handiwork we admire outdoors is also the Savior who invites us to come to Him.
What is Your Response?
The gospel invites a personal response: repent and believe in Jesus Christ (Mark 1:15). Repentance means turning from sin toward God. Faith means trusting in Jesus—His death and resurrection—as the basis of your forgiveness and salvation.
You do not need to have every question answered or make yourself worthy before coming to Him. You can speak honestly to God, acknowledge your sin, ask for His forgiveness, and place your trust in Jesus. Salvation comes through Christ, not through reciting particular words.
If you are ready to explore further, begin by reading the Gospel of John. Seek a church that faithfully teaches the Bible, and talk with a pastor or mature Christian who can help you understand what it means to follow Jesus.
The One whose creation fills us with wonder invites us to know Him. Will you respond?
Explore Faith and Creation
The Heavens: Astronomy and Faith
Explore the astronomers honored at Griffith Observatory, their discoveries and reflections on God, and how the wonder of the heavens points us toward the Creator and the gospel of Jesus Christ.