Teachable Moments

One of the things I contemplated on my backpacking trip to Isle Royale was the variety that our God produced in creation. I was particularly impressed with the different kind, color and shape of the rocks along the shore lines. There were fifteen different kinds of trees on the island and though most of the deciduous trees were not leafed out, the coniferous trees were beautiful. There were trees I had never heard of, like the American Hophornbeam.  It was too early in spring for many flowers to have bloomed, but we did see some, like the Marsh Marigold. There are thirty-one different kinds of Orchids, such as the Green Adder’s Tongue. And there are sixty-four different types of Common Wildflowers on the island, such as White Rattlesnake Root and Skunk Cabbage.

 One of the ways God chose to reveal Himself to mankind is through creation. Psalm 119:1-6 says,

 1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.

3 There is no speech or language
where their voice is not heard.

4 Their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,

5 which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion,
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.

6 It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is hidden from its heat.

 

 I have personally experienced God speaking to me through His creation. Getting away from it all and out into His intricate creation is therapeutic for my soul. I have also seen what it can do for a child from the city that came from a godless home and had no previous Christian or religious influence. I recall one such young man who was my little brother for his week at camp. I took him out for morning devotions after a night of fierce winds and heavy thunderstorms. We sat on a rock which overlooked the lake. He surveyed the damage and observed the many trees that had blown over and said, “You know the wind is just God moving His furniture around.” I almost fell off the rock I was sitting on. My little brother, Dillon, has a special place in the back of one of my Bibles. His observation is written along side quotes by men like Billy Graham and Max Lucado. It is a privilege to be involved in the camping ministry and to be able to minister to children in an environment that takes advantage of God’s revelation through creation. We need to make sure that our programs and activities as camp leave time for those teachable moments that can powerfully impact young boys and girls like Dillon.