How to Uncover God’s Nature in the World He Made: Challenge 2026

I’ll start with a confession. I have a gym membership, but I rarely go to work out. I’m primarily there for the tanning beds. 

Sometimes I feel the need to tell them at check-in that I already ran outside. Just in case they were wondering.

I’m much more of a Pilates-at-home and a catch-the-sunrise-before-I-run kind of girl. I don’t know how to use most of the machines at the gym. When I have to run inside, I read a book on my iPad because I need somewhere to rest my eyes.

For some reason, a three-mile run outdoors and a three-mile run indoors are two very different distances. The minutes stack up excruciatingly slow without the constant change of scenery. The sweat feels worse without sun and breeze.  Even with even elevation, running on a treadmill feels more exhausting than running out in nature. 

Nature replenishes you all the while it drains you. It stills the hurry, unwinds the tension, reminds of its Creator.

Although my feet and legs ache, my soul is awake when I’m outdoors. I see in the slant of the sun, the soft wisps of fog, the spectacular foliage–a Creator God keeping close watch over us. Trees bend over the trail as if to say God too leans towards us. On the days it rains, I find kind relief from the heat–and it reminds me that God embeds gifts in unexpected places.

Uncover God’s Nature This November

If you’re taking the #ResilientGratitude challenge with me this month, you’ll find a few of the prompts ask you to look for evidence of God’s faithfulness in nature. 

(By the way, if you haven’t signed up yet for the challenge, it’s not too late to join!)

Consider this an invitation to step away from the pressures and expectations, the to-do lists, and the trying-to-undo. Take a long, overdue exhale and look around you. Where is God? Where are you?

I find my gratitude becomes less fuzzy when I pause to acknowledge where I am, both physically and in relation to God. King David, too, found this to be true. He writes in Psalm 8,

When I gaze to the skies and meditate on Your creation—
    on the moon, stars, and all You have made,

I can’t help but wonder why You care about mortals—
    sons and daughters of men—
    specks of dust floating about the cosmos.

(vs. 3-4, The Voice)

Note the progression from taking in God’s creation to being taken aback by the magnitude of God’s personal interest in us. The majesty of God’s creation points us to the very nature of God.

God is vast. Unsurpassed by even the unending expanse of the sky. Greater than the galaxies. Brighter than the light of the sun.

Like the moon, He watches over us while we sleep. Like the ocean, His love for us is wide and deep. Like the wind, He’s here even when we cannot see Him. 

As you spend a few minutes outside, ask for eyes to see evidence of God’s nature. 

You might take a walk through your neighborhood, sit on your front step, meander through your front yard, or find a favorite spot further away. Hike beside a stream, pause next to a neighborhood fountain, or open your door so you can feel the rain hit your face. 

Drop your gaze to the ground beneath your feet. What do you find here? Tilt your chin to the sky and gaze at the blue, or gray, or midnight black. Where do you see God?

Are the trees bare or clad with color? What might the current season say about God?

Consider the cyclical care of Christ on day 14 of the challenge. How does He sustain you, never ever missing a need or taking HIs eyes off you, similar to a naturally replenished resource?

A Blessing as You Continue the Gratitude Challenge

The nature-related prompts are intended to spark your creativity and sense of awe. If it helps, listen to a worship song while you explore. I find music opens my eyes and heart to be more aware of God.

Another idea is to find a Psalm that matches what you see. Borrow words of praise and gratitude. Adopt David’s curiosity.

You might pray while you walk. Something as effortless as a breath prayer can help you stay focused, for whatever amount of time you can afford. Here’s one to try:

Faithful God (as you inhale),

Reveal Yourself to me (as you exhale).

No matter how you approach these nature prompts, I pray that you enjoy the process of looking for evidence of God’s faithfulness. 

May you see in the ordinary and all-around-you places a present and perfect God.

May you step away from the heart hustle and into the gentle arms of Jesus.

May you know, with all soul sureness, that God is watching over you, that He sees what you’re going through, and that He will come through for you in the kindest, timeliest way–even if it doesn’t appear to be kindness at first.

May your resilience grow alongside your gratitude as you lean on the God who loves you.

May your eyes become accustomed to identifying the goodness of God before He answers, intervenes, or redeems your current situation.

May you feel involved by grace and goodness as you make intentional space for thanks.

In the name of our dear Lord, I pray. Amen and amen. 

Just a friend over here in your corner,

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