September 30th, 2026
by Jeff Joyner
by Jeff Joyner
God clearly reveals himself through His creation. The beauty of God’s creation has always given me a glimpse into the character and personality of God. The hymn writer Thomas O. Chisholm expressed my sentiments beautifully in the second verse of the well known hymn “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”, a song I have sung since childhood.
“Summer and Winter and
Springtime and harvest.
Sun, moon and stars in
their courses above.
Join with all nature
In manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness
Mercy and Love.”
Several years ago I was driving through the Oregon countryside on a crisp Autumn day. Suddenly, in the distance I could see a display of Autumn leaves that all but took my breath away. As I began to pass by the trees, the Fall colors were so vibrant that I had to pull over and take a few pictures. (see pic) I remember asking myself why I had never noticed them before. The only answer I could come up with was, I was so consumed by the stresses of life and ministry, that I had failed to recognize the beauty God had placed around me. I was so busy "serving" God that I forgot to enjoy the splendor of His creation. From that point on, I made a commitment to make these trees a regular part of my yearly "Fall experience."
The following year, I decided to drive by the trees once again to anticipate when they would return to their Fall splendor. As I pulled over to get a better view my heart began to sink. An entire row of trees had been trimmed down thirty feet, presumably as a result of a recent ice storm. There would be no majestic Fall display that year, nor for many years to come. At least not like the ones I had previously enjoyed.
God's message to me was clear. If I allow the weight of the world to consistently pull me down, I can be in danger of missing the beauty that God has placed around me today. He has promised to walk with me each step of the way, through wooded valleys and lofty mountaintops. If I will only take time to recognize His beauty in and around me, I can experience His peace, through both the smooth and rough terrain. For the Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
"He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters." Psalm 23:2
“Summer and Winter and
Springtime and harvest.
Sun, moon and stars in
their courses above.
Join with all nature
In manifold witness
To Thy great faithfulness
Mercy and Love.”
Several years ago I was driving through the Oregon countryside on a crisp Autumn day. Suddenly, in the distance I could see a display of Autumn leaves that all but took my breath away. As I began to pass by the trees, the Fall colors were so vibrant that I had to pull over and take a few pictures. (see pic) I remember asking myself why I had never noticed them before. The only answer I could come up with was, I was so consumed by the stresses of life and ministry, that I had failed to recognize the beauty God had placed around me. I was so busy "serving" God that I forgot to enjoy the splendor of His creation. From that point on, I made a commitment to make these trees a regular part of my yearly "Fall experience."
The following year, I decided to drive by the trees once again to anticipate when they would return to their Fall splendor. As I pulled over to get a better view my heart began to sink. An entire row of trees had been trimmed down thirty feet, presumably as a result of a recent ice storm. There would be no majestic Fall display that year, nor for many years to come. At least not like the ones I had previously enjoyed.
God's message to me was clear. If I allow the weight of the world to consistently pull me down, I can be in danger of missing the beauty that God has placed around me today. He has promised to walk with me each step of the way, through wooded valleys and lofty mountaintops. If I will only take time to recognize His beauty in and around me, I can experience His peace, through both the smooth and rough terrain. For the Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.
"He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters." Psalm 23:2
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