Sensing God: Experiencing the Divine in Nature, Food, Music, and Beauty

In this eloquent testament, musician Clarkson (A Different Kind of Hero) encourages Christians to slow down and more fully engage in sensory experiences. “We are created to experience God through our senses,” he writes, “and in that encounter, to come to know Him better and grow in love.” Clarkson encourages readers to routinely linger in “points of sensory contact embedded in” daily life, such as a “bite of something nourishing to eat... some favorite music” or the “cool air of a walk.” He emphasizes that the book is meant to be a starting place rather than a definitive guide, and provides examples from the Bible, his own life, and a variety of artists, writers, and poets who have become aware of God through the natural world. For instance, Clarkson’s sharing of Thanksgiving with new friends in a small fishing village in Scotland instantly evoked memories of “community, and communion and the joy of the feast.” In another example, Clarkson discusses his initial concern about attending a writer’s retreat without Wi-Fi, and the clarity that resulted from having no interruptions from sensing God’s goodness. He also recommends spiritual disciplines, such as fasting, and compares the soul to a window that needs washing from the grime left by sin and negative habits. Max Lucado fans will want to take a look. (Jan.)