I think most Christians cringe when they overhear someone giving credit belonging to God to "Mother Nature." This mythical personality is often lauded for a beautiful snowfall, a field full of wild flowers or a romantic moon-lit night. Having been set free by the Spirit of the Living God believers know that nature is the handiwork of God and while the systems of the world may run on automatic, it is God who created them and who ensures that they run at all.

The world is indeed a beautiful place and God alone deserves the credit for it. Some would argue, that we were told by the Lord to love not the world or the things that are in it. Doubtless, he was speaking of the secularity of the world system and not the beauty that he created. Each raindrop, each star, each gust of wind is a testament to his greatness and are for our enjoyment and his praise.

Consider for instance, the significance of clouds? Besides being beautiful and captivating, they play a huge role in our daily lives. If there were no clouds, this world would be quite a different place. The singer Joni Mitchell captured much of the essence of clouds in her hit song on the topic, but even she fails to quantify their real significance.

Clouds are more than the fodder of songs and paintings. They are the evidence of God's environment at work. When clouds are present, we know that the checks and balances of God's nature are in play. Cold and warm air masses push against each other, creating weather systems that water and cleanse the earth.

Whether viewed from above from an airplane window or from below while laying on a grassy hill at one's leisure, clouds are magnificent to behold. They sometimes hang low to the ground and at other times climb to the heights of heaven. They take familiar shapes and forms and we marvel at their beauty.

They can unleash unbelievable power. Sometimes this power is destructive, even lethal, but more often it is helpful and life-giving. Lakes, streams and rivers are filled by their moisture and God's creation and creatures are replenished.

Indeed, whether bringing havoc to coastal cities or quenching the parched desert, clouds are significant to our world. They are critically important to life and the myriad ecological systems that comprise life on this earth.

Still, as intimidating as a 60,000 foot thunderhead can be and as much power as a storm system can generate, their magnificence pales to the majesty of the Lord, their creator. In Nahum 1:3 we are told:

"…and the clouds are the dust of his feet…"

Some time ago while teaching an adult Sunday school class, I told the class that I was going to ask a question and the first one to answer it correctly would receive a prize. I told them that I was going to do this because I wanted to prove to them that the secular teachings of evolution were influencing even the minds of born again believers. I added a reward to the question to ensure they did not have time to consider their answer. I wanted them to answer spontaneously so that I could make my case.

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