God Reveals Himself Through Nature: Reflecting On My Recent Trip to Waikiki

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities — his eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. — Romans 1:20 NIV

I recently spent nearly ten days in Waikiki, Hawaii for our belated 25th anniversary. Hubby and I took my mother as our treat to her in remembrance of my dad who passed in 2014.

Our room was on the thirteenth floor of the Hale Koa Hotel (pronounced hal-eh koh-ah) which means “house of the warrior.” Our view from the balcony could not be more different.

On one side we had a beautiful view of the beach and ocean. On the opposite side was the view of the majestic volcanic mountains. Amid these views were the high rises of metal, steel, and cement with them the sounds of sirens, traffic, and ongoing construction work.

We took a drive around the island to see its natural beauty but only saw more high rises and tent cities of the poor and homeless. There were no quiet beaches anywhere. It was as if man was trying to eradicate nature with his own form of creation of “beauty.”

Consumerism and commercialism are rampant on the island. The natural beauty and the native Hawaiian/Polynesian culture are slowly being snuffed out.

Because of all of this, we discovered it was nearly impossible to truly relax.

REFLECTION

I can’t help but wonder why would we go out of our way to destroy the land in the name of progress.

For many, progress means the advancement of mankind. It seeks to enhance man’s accomplishments and abilities above all else. It is man’s nature to elevate mankind above God. Instead of being caretakers of God’s creation, we seek to destroy it with man’s own forms of creation.

In place of peace and harmony, there are chaos and discord.

We used to live near a metropolitan area and life there brought us only anxiety and stress. We opted to move away and into a rural farmland of northern North Dakota where we found tranquillity in the quiet of nature.

It was here I rediscovered God and thus recommitted my life to Him.

The natural world is proof of God’s existence. Through man’s sinful nature, the devil seeks to erase this.

The Oahu Island is losing its soul because of man.