Romans 1:20

For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.” ESV Romans 1:20

This year it seems that our fall foliage was particularly beautiful. Instead of simply turning brown and falling off, the leaves erupted into splendid hues of red, orange and yellow; some parts of the county were breathtaking. While many residents have taken to the highways take it in, others have chosen to admire it here in our back yard. I’ve taken the back yard approach myself.

We truly have a crown jewel of creation right here in our back yard. The southeastern border of Franklin County skirts 180,000 acres of protected woodlands that make up the Bankhead National Forest. Inside of the forest, some 25,000 acres have been set aside in what as known as the Sipsey Wilderness area. And I’m here to tell you that the Sipsey Wilderness area is some kind of pretty right now.

It’s hard to imagine spending a day in the Sipsey without leaving in awe of creation; even more so, in awe of the Creator. On a recent hike, as I paused to rest and soak in the surrounding forest, I asked my hiking partner: How could anyone come here and not believe in God? To do so, you simply have to ignore creation. The thought positively confounds me.

The Apostle Paul undoubtedly encountered people that neglected to worship God even though creation itself points to Him. And in the first chapter of his letter to the church in Rome, Paul warns that those who willingly suppress the obvious truths of God’s existence, power and divine nature are “without excuse” for neglecting to worship God.

I wonder how many folks in our community wander around in willful ignorance of God. How many folks ignore His eternal and divine attributes that are clearly evident in creation every day? How many folks witness the splendor of creation all around and fail to give thanks to God? Suppressing the truth is a sin you know.

Winston Churchill once said that “men occasionally stumble over the truth, but most of them pick themselves up and hurry off as if nothing had happened.” Don’t hurry off. The next time you take time to “smell the roses” and enjoy creation, take another moment to acknowledge and thank the Creator.

-Ken Askew