The Story Nature Tells

Jackson's Tree, photo by Joshua Thompson

 "We could do an immense service to our world if we would let nature heal, counsel, and teach again."

~Christensen and Laird (Henri Nouwen), "Spiritual Formation: following the Movements of the Spirit"

When we see nature as only something to be used, we miss the story it was created to tell. Even environmentalists can take nature for grantit when they hurry by a city park to get to their recycling rally. They may not notice the beauty and lessons of the old trees swaying above the playground equipment or the wildflowers trampled below the feet of dozens of children on a field day.

Spiritual Formation, based on Nouwen's teaching, goes on to say, "When we contemplate creation rather than manipulating it, we are able to see nature as a gift of God to be cherished and cared for." And I would add, "...to be learned from".

God created the plants for our nourishment and for our enjoyment (beauty). "Out of the ground the Lord God caused to grow every tree that is pleasing to the sight and good for food..." Genesis 2:9. We also learn that the leaves and other plants are for healing. We see the use of oil for healing in scripture again and again. By example, we learn from scripture that we can take life lessons and lessons about God from nature. 

God is referred to as our rock, our light and His voice is compared to thunder. Examples abound. But how did the psalmists and other writers come up with these comparisons?

They took time to meditate on aspects of nature.

I recently received a lesson from an old tree at a retreat center where our church leaders met for prayer. This is what I wrote:

Looking out the window at a very old tree, I notice deep grooves in the trunk, thick chunks of bark protruding and a deep hole in the bark at one place. It has been through so much history. I wonder about all the changes and things it has seen. I sense God say, "It's amazing what one can see or experience when he/she just stays in one place. Stay. Wait. Pray. Watch."

When Mary Must Learn from Martha

Most of the time Martha gets a bad rap. She was the one busy in the kitchen while Jesus imparted nuggets of wisdom and love. Mary sat at His feet and drank it in. When Martha asked Jesus to tell her sister, Mary, to help her, He responded that Mary had chosen the better part.

It's true we have a tendency as Westerners, especially Americans, to do-do-do. We appreciate action, so we'd rather jump up and act than sit and learn. Often we don't even prepare for our actions. We might skip the research or the practice needed to make our actions valuable. There are great lessons for us to glean from Mary, sitting at the feet of Jesus, putting aside the daily chores for a time to sit in His presence. We should never forget that lesson.

But there are those of us who enjoy meditation and Bible Reading more than action. We pride ourselves on being the ones who choose the best part. But we should beware because even as our heads are inflating due to our wise choice, we may become lazy and find we have produced nothing.

There is a time to get up and move into action. I don't know if Mary in the Bible had all that in the right balance or not, but I realize I don't. I'd much rather pray than do. It's so much easier. I can do it from the comfort of my soft couch.

I have great excuses like, "The Lord hasn't given me a burden yet," or "I don't feel the passion needed to sustain action. I'll wait until I feel it." Or maybe I just don't know what to do, so I do nothing.

Recently I've been gleaning from my good friend and boss, Becky. She is creative, always coming up with fun ideas to motivate and achieve. She can make a party out of anything. I'm learning from Becky that you don't have to feel something in order to do it. "You have to make your own passion," she said last week.

Take one step and then another and pretty soon momentum builds and you feel the passion for what you're doing, and others will too.

Becky also helped me realize that you don't have to wait until you know the exact thing that should be done. Just pick one need and begin to do something about it. Anything is better than nothing.

This advice may seem matter-of-fact to you, but it's a revelation to me.

Thank you Becky. We will miss you in S.A.

True Freedom

"The spiritual life is a life in which we are set free by the Spirit of God to enjoy life in all its fullness. By this Spirit we can indeed 'be in the world without being of it'; we can move freely without being bound by false attachments; we can speak freely without fear of human rejection; and we can live with peace and joy even when surrounded by conflict and sadness." 

 ~ Henri Nouwen, Spiritual Formation: Following the Movements of the Spirit

This is probably the best description of "freedom in Christ" I've ever heard. Maybe it's just not articulated to us that often. What does it mean to be free in Christ? 

I might answer, free from the bondage of sin, which is true. We are no longer bound by sin, we now choose it freely. Well, hopefully not, or at least not very often. 

Take a look at Nouwen's descriptions:

1. We can be in the world, not of it. We don't look like the world. Our character is different, our motivations are different. 

2. We can move freely without being bound by false attachments. 

3. We can speak freely without fear of human rejection. It no longer matters, because we are sure of acceptance from the One who does matter!

4. We can live with peace and joy even when surrounded by conflict and sadness. Praise God!! Next time you see a Christian who has totally lost their joy because of uncontrollable circumstances, remind them of their ...

FREEDOM IN CHRIST

What freedom we have. What grace that unbelievers can never understand. 

Photo by Joshua Thompson