If I let myself pay attention to the media, I find myself filled with fear. I worry about the world my children will be entering. I am scared to see how far Christian morals have fallen and even more afraid for our future ability to defend them. It seems we have lost the ability to fight.

We see people killing people at an alarming rate. It seems our flag is flying at half mass more often than not. No life seems to matter anymore, including that of the unborn. God’s design for marriage is viewed as no longer relevant. Homosexuality has gone from unnatural in the eyes of God (Romans 1:26-27) to just another form of romantic love. Christians have been left unable to speak out, branded intolerant and unloving. Frankly, I am growing weary of it all.

And, then, last week happened.

I was privileged with the opportunity to spend a week at a NWOCYC, a Christian youth camp. Cut off from the world without T.V., technology, and cell phone service, we were able to focus on what really matters –worshiping and serving our creator. Not only was I surrounded by Christian influence, I was enveloped in nature which cries out to the very existence of our almighty God.

There the western sky is visible almost to the horizon making the sunsets breathtaking. Absolutely stunning. Each evening the sky transformed into a canvas on which God painted every color. I stood, rooted in place, in awe of its beauty.

The night sky, unpolluted by city lights, was dotted with an amazing number of stars. I stood there looking up, feeling so small and insignificant compared to the vastness of the universe. A mere ant, scurrying about my little plot of life. Yet, I was reminded that God knows me personally and purposed my life to be. The two concepts are difficult to balance in my mind.

The trees stretched to the skies, some alive before I was born, others will exist long after I cease to. Timeless waters flow in the river the curls around the outskirts of our camp. For millennia people have been able to sit along its banks and ponder life. The beauty of nature is on display all around.

Luke 19:40 kept running through my head:

’I tell you’, he [Jesus] replied, ‘If they keep quiet the stones will cry out.’

I was reminded of Psalm 19:1-4a:

The heavens declare the glory of God;
    the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
    night after night they reveal knowledge.
They have no speech, they use no words;
    no sound is heard from them.
Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
    their words to the ends of the world.

It encouraged me and gave me hope. The world may persecute Christians. We may see an age where the legality to speak scripture will be banished from our lips. We may no longer be able to witness to the hope we have in Christ.

But, even if no human exists brave enough to speak the truth, we are reassured. The awe of nature will carry out this very deed, witnessing to the majesty of our Creator. Without words, it speaks more eloquently than any human could imagine. God does not need us to attest to his goodness. His very creation declares his glory.