For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.

Romans 1:20

I recently read a book in my Spiritual Direction training that explored various ways to listen for God. One chapter was on nature and creation. It was the chapter that I highlighted the least. I was a little surprised at how little I resonated with the concept.

But this past weekend we visited the National Arboretum in DC. While exploring the Conifer Forest, I did have a sense of God and remembered that chapter in the book. I was struck by the beauty of the forest and the idea that these trees were “things that have been made.” There is a being who created this beauty and is the source of the feeling of appreciation that I was experiencing. This was a palpable experience that engaged more with my heart than my mind. That might be why I did not resonate with the nature chapter in the book. I am drawn more to experiences of listening for God that bring greater understanding of Him. This was an experience of God’s presence, but it did not give me more understanding of Him. If there was a voice, the message was simply .”God exists.” I plan on spending more time at that place in my next extended personal communion time.

How does this relate to faith and work? On that same day I walked to a pharmacy on Good Hope Road near Martin Luther King Ave in Anacostia. It is not an attractive area of DC. On that walk I saw a small tree planted near the sidewalk, and I noticed how differently I was feeling compared to looking at a tree in the Conifer Forest. I was not feeling the sense of God’s presence or His reality. It was as if the many man-made additions to creation on Good Hope Road completely drowned out the voice saying “God exists.”

This got me thinking about our role in our work worlds. One of our roles is to be people who contribute to creation saying “God exists.” We are created to be image-bearers of God. Without the Fall, mankind’s contributions to creation would have enhanced that voice saying “God exists.” But with the Fall, the sin of man has caused much of how we have shaped the world to drown out that voice. As a redeemed people, we are restored to be image bearers in our work. Who we are and how we conduct our work can help to bring that voice back.

In our sinfulness, we can contribute to the marring of the beauty of God’s creation. As we mature in Christ, we become more aware of how often we do this (especially at work). and that can be discouraging. But it does not have to be discouraging. When we become aware of our sin, and repent before our work colleagues, that can be a powerful voice saying “God exists.” It can even speak more loudly than when we have been righteous in our work because it speaks of a God of righteousness and grace. May we be people who have been made in Christ so that others are able to perceive the reality of God.

I would love to connect with you about these posts if they have stirred any thoughts or questions. Take a minute, shoot me an email at bo@leavenedlives.org, and let’s see where that takes us.