The beauty of creation reflects the beauty of our Creator.

美丽的受造物反映造物主的荣美。

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. Romans 1:20

自从造天地以来，上帝的永能和神性是明明可知的，虽是眼不能见，但藉着所造之物就可以晓得，叫人无可推诿。-罗马书1章20节

Lord Howe Island is a small paradise of white sands and crystal waters off Australia’s east coast. When I visited some years ago, I was struck by its beauty. Here, one could swim with turtles and with fish like the shimmering trevally, while moon wrasses drifted nearby, flashing their neon colors like a billboard. In its lagoon I found coral reefs full of bright orange clownfish and yellow-striped butterfly fish that rushed to kiss my hand. Overwhelmed by such splendor, I couldn’t help but worship God.

位于澳州东部外海的豪勋爵岛，是个拥有白色沙滩和水晶般海水的人间天堂。几年前我到那里旅游时，不禁赞叹那片绝美的景色。在那里，你可以与海龟和闪亮的竹?鱼一起游泳。如同霓虹招牌般的新月锦鱼，也会不时在你身旁穿梭。在潟湖里，我看到鲜橙色的小丑鱼围绕着珊瑚礁，而黄纹蝴蝶鱼则忙着亲吻我的手。因这令人震慑的美景，让我不由自主地赞美上帝。

The apostle Paul gives the reason for my response. Creation at its best reveals something of God’s nature (Rom. 1:20). The wonders of Lord Howe Island were giving me a glimpse of His own power and beauty.

使徒保罗所说的，解释了为何我有这样的反应。他说，受造之物充分彰显出上帝的属性（罗马书1章20节），正如豪勋爵岛的奇景，就让我一窥上帝的大能与荣美。

When the prophet Ezekiel encountered God, he was shown a radiant Being seated on a blue throne surrounded by glorious colors (Ezek. 1:25–28). The apostle John saw something similar: God sparkling like precious stones, encircled by an emerald rainbow (Rev. 4:2–3). When God reveals Himself, He is found to be not only good and powerful but beautiful too. Creation reflects this beauty the way a piece of art reflects its artist.

先知以西结曾看到上帝坐在蓝宝石的宝座上，周围是闪耀的光辉（以西结书1章25-28节） 。使徒约翰也曾看见上帝像宝石般发出光芒，四周环绕像绿宝石般的彩虹（启示录4章2-3节） 。上帝不仅彰显出良善和全能，还发出璀璨的荣光。凡受造之物都反映出创造主的荣美，正如艺术品表露作者的特质一般。

Nature often gets worshiped instead of God (Rom. 1:25). What a tragedy. Instead, may earth’s crystal waters and shimmering creatures point us to the One standing behind them who is more powerful and beautiful than anything in this world.

但可悲的是，人们却敬拜大自然，而不敬奉那位造物主（罗马书1章25节）。但愿晶亮的海水与银光闪烁的自然生物，能让我们看见那位创造宇宙万物的上帝，祂有至高的能力和荣耀的光辉！

Romans 1:18-25New International Version (NIV)

God’s Wrath Against Sinful Humanity

18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 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.

21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.

24 Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another.25 They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised.Amen.

罗马书 1:18-25Chinese Union Version Modern Punctuation (Simplified) (CUVMPS)

18 原来，神的愤怒从天上显明在一切不虔不义的人身上，就是那些行不义阻挡真理的人。 19 神的事情人所能知道的，原显明在人心里，因为神已经给他们显明。 20 自从造天地以来，神的永能和神性是明明可知的，虽是眼不能见，但借着所造之物就可以晓得，叫人无可推诿。 21 因为他们虽然知道神，却不当做神荣耀他，也不感谢他，他们的思念变为虚妄，无知的心就昏暗了。 22 自称为聪明，反成了愚拙， 23 将不能朽坏之神的荣耀变为偶像，仿佛必朽坏的人和飞禽、走兽、昆虫的样式。

24 所以，神任凭他们逞着心里的情欲行污秽的事，以致彼此玷辱自己的身体。 25 他们将神的真实变为虚谎，去敬拜侍奉受造之物，不敬奉那造物的主——主乃是可称颂的，直到永远！阿门。

整理：于姊妹