From My Nature Journal -- Celebrating Earth Day by Praying through the Creation Story: Day 7, "Gratitude"

Introduction: The ways people pursue God, or even pray, can be as different as the very people who pursue God. Spiritual writers and mentors have long appreciated these varieties of pathways that pilgrims have followed in their prayer journey. For example, many are led to deep devotion through such things as music, contemplation or activism, but others have found that it’s the beauty and mystery of the natural, created world that leads them to a humbling encounter of praise and prayer with their Creator God. Of course, the pathways mix to varying degrees according to our personalities and interests.

Those who find nature an important spiritual pathway can see their own faith story unfold in the creation story of Genesis 1 and 2 in the Christian and Jewish Bible. Being mindful not to worship creation but only the Creator, a consideration of the natural world not only helps them do that, but also guides them in their stewardship of what God has created. Each day this week we will look to the ‘seven day’ creation story from these first two chapters of the Bible’s very first book. All references are from the Bible’s New Revised Standard Version.

Day 7 – “Grateful” -- And on the seventh day God finished the work… and he rested… So God blessed the seventh day… (Genesis 2:2-3)

Read: Genesis 2:1-3, Psalm 46 and Matthew 11:25-30

Reflect: God’s tasks were complete, for the time being, and he rested. Did God need it? No. But as so often the case, God first models the behavior and action God desires from his children. He knew we would need it. And as God rested, we cannot but imagine that he also reflected, gratified for a job well done.

God’s creation story is one of fruitfulness and respectful gratitude. Should our story be any different, especially if we are created in God’s image? Along with his spectacular creation, rest and a spirit of thankfulness are gifts to us from our Creator God. One replenishes us. The other defines our reason for being. But we must give ourselves time and opportunity to practice and enjoy them both.

When it comes to spiritual reflection, on the Sabbath or any day, people of faith for centuries have enjoyed a practice called an examen. Most often experienced in the evening, it is a time to reflect upon our attentiveness to the presence of God in our day. When did God seem most close? When most far? Why? For what am I thankful? When was I most attentive to God? Least? Did I represent Jesus well today, or not? When? What can I do differently tomorrow? Though the questions can vary, a regular examen can be a very important practice in one’s ongoing Christian formation.

Observe: Make a place this evening, or by the next Lord’s Day, for the last of our five-minute retreats this week. If you can and if the weather cooperates, sit outdoors or by a window where you can observe a sunset or a night sky. Do you know the simple hymn to the tune of Taps, called Day is Done? Reflect on it as you prepare for rest.

                       

            Day is done. Gone the sun

            From the lakes, from the hills, from the sky.

            All is well. Safely rest. God is nigh.

                        Fading light dims the night

                        And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright.

                        From afar, drawing nigh, falls the night.

                                    Thanks and praise for our days

                                    ‘Neath the sun, ‘neath the stars, ‘neath the sky.

                                    As we go this we know: God is nigh.

Pray: Lord, you are ever near, revealing yourself to us through others, through your creation and through your Holy Spirit. Thank you for your creative majesty, for beauty that inspires, for marvels that humble. O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth! Amen.

Hymn for the Day: “How Great Thou Art”

Link for the Day: Carrie Underwood and Vince Gill perform “How Great Thou Art"

From My Nature Journal -- Celebrating Earth Day by Praying through the Creation Story: Day 6, "Treasured"

Introduction: The ways people pursue God, or even pray, can be as different as the very people who pursue God. Spiritual writers and mentors have long appreciated these varieties of pathways that pilgrims have followed in their prayer journey. For example, many are led to deep devotion through such things as music, contemplation or activism, but others have found that it’s the beauty and mystery of the natural, created world that leads them to a humbling encounter of praise and prayer with their Creator God. Of course, the pathways mix to varying degrees according to our personalities and interests.

Those who find nature an important spiritual pathway can see their own faith story unfold in the creation story of Genesis 1 and 2 in the Christian and Jewish Bible. Being mindful not to worship creation but only the Creator, a consideration of the natural world not only helps them do that, but also guides them in their stewardship of what God has created. Each day this week we will look to the ‘seven day’ creation story from these first two chapters of the Bible’s very first book. All references are from the Bible’s New Revised Standard Version.

Day 6 – “Treasured” -- And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures of every kind… Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness… Be fruitful and multiply…” (Genesis 1:24, 26, 28)

Our newest grandchild, Annamae Catherine, born last week

Read: Genesis 1:1, Genesis 1:24-31, Psalm 8, Psalm 139:13-18 and Luke 12:4-7

Reflect: We circle back again today to Psalm 8, a text referred to on ‘day 4.’ As I read it, I easily picture David a young shepherd, finally lying back at twilight after a day guarding the flocks, and musing on the night sky. (I’ve done it often myself, perhaps you, too.) “…What are human beings that you are mindful of them…?” he says (Psalm 8:4). Now, there are two ways this text may be taken, and the choice is ours. Choice 1? To render it with despair, emphasizing, “What are humans…?” In other words, we might say, “God, if there is one, why would you concern yourself with this insignificant dust speck of a person on this insignificant dust speck of a planet amidst all your creation?” Or choice 2? Contrarily, it can also be rendered with a different emphasis, “…that you are mindful of them…?” David gets to this latter place. In other words, he and we say, “Somehow, you see me and know me, even love me. Little lower than God? Dominion over your works? Indeed!” What else can be done but give praise, “O Lord, our Sovereign, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” (Psalm 8:1 and 8:9)

But our command to fruitfulness and dominion does not allow us license to abuse the good earth God has given. Along with responsibility and authority must come commensurate accountability. God will hold us answerable as his creation’s stewards.

Observe: Do you people watch? Sometimes I do, at an airport, mall, city center or other congested area. Occasionally I do it with only an eye of curiosity, but lately more often with a prayerful spirit that says, “There goes a child of God, a crown of God’s creation.” Take time today, and each day, to watch the people around you and pray for them.

Pray: How quick I can be, Lord, to make the first choice mentioned above; for there is too much in this world that can lead to despair, including humankind’s inhumanity to others, and its neglect and abuse of your creation. Forgive me, forgive us. Lead us in a new way, your way, the way of your mindfulness toward us and all that you have made. Amen.

Hymn for the Day: “Children of the Heavenly Father”

Link for the Day: David Crowder band sings “All Creatures of our God and King"

From My Nature Journal -- Celebrating Earth Day by Praying through the Creation Story: Day 5, "Known"

Introduction: The ways people pursue God, or even pray, can be as different as the very people who pursue God. Spiritual writers and mentors have long appreciated these varieties of pathways that pilgrims have followed in their prayer journey. For example, many are led to deep devotion through such things as music, contemplation or activism, but others have found that it’s the beauty and mystery of the natural, created world that leads them to a humbling encounter of praise and prayer with their Creator God. Of course, the pathways mix to varying degrees according to our personalities and interests.

Those who find nature an important spiritual pathway can see their own faith story unfold in the creation story of Genesis 1 and 2 in the Christian and Jewish Bible. Being mindful not to worship creation but only the Creator, a consideration of the natural world not only helps them do that, but also guides them in their stewardship of what God has created. Each day this week we will look to the ‘seven day’ creation story from these first two chapters of the Bible’s very first book. All references are from the Bible’s New Revised Standard Version.

Day 5 – “Known” -- And God said, “Let the waters bring forth… creatures, and let birds fly… Be fruitful and multiply…” (Genesis 1:20, 22)

Read: Genesis 1:1, Genesis 1:20-23, Job12:7-10 and Matthew 6:25-34

Reflect: “Be fruitful and multiply,” said God. But if there is ever any question about God’s generosity or largesse, that question seems to be answered when considering the veritable abundance of his creatures. For example, did you know there are about 10,000 known species of birds, and 30,000 fish, compared to about 5,000 mammals? It is no wonder primitive peoples were impressed, looking to animals in their animistic religions. We could do far worse than that, and often do.

Yet in spite of their numbers, it is these beasts Job turns to for encouragement in his suffering, needing to know that God has not forgotten him. (Be sure to read that passage, it’s delightful!) Jesus also refers to birds as proof of God’s loving care, not only in the Matthew 6 text but in Matthew 10:29, where he says that the Father takes loving notice when even a single, plain sparrow falls to the ground. What a God!

But have you noticed a phrase and word that has been used in each of the Genesis passages we’ve read this week except for one? In five of the ‘six days of creation,’ it says, “And God saw that it was good.” (God must have had a bad day on Day 2!) The Hebrew word for good is tov (long O). Tov is more than just a generic good as we might think of it. Tov is great cheer, the highest of goods, a sense of well-being in the widest sense. And by ‘day 6’ after animals and humans are created, God calls it all very tov! Even God was impressed.

Observe: Think for a moment: how many birds do you think you’d recognize by their call alone? A robin? A crow? A chickadee? (That one’s easy, they say their name!) Write down as many as you can think of in three minutes, even if one is a rooster! Then give God thanks that he knows your voice, he knows your name, he knows your needs and those of your loved ones.

Pray: I am astounded by your creation, God, awed by its complexity and variety. From landforms to animals to the heavenly bodies to human beings, your table is indeed an abundant one. Thank you for the beauty of your earth. Amen.

Hymn for the Day: “All Creatures of our God and King”

Link for the Day: Dccorah, Iowa Eaglecam

From My Nature Journal -- Celebrating Earth Day by Praying through the Creation Story: Day 4, "Aware"

Introduction: The ways people pursue God, or even pray, can be as different as the very people who pursue God. Spiritual writers and mentors have long appreciated these varieties of pathways that pilgrims have followed in their prayer journey. For example, many are led to deep devotion through such things as music, contemplation or activism, but others have found that it’s the beauty and mystery of the natural, created world that leads them to a humbling encounter of praise and prayer with their Creator God. Of course, the pathways mix to varying degrees according to our personalities and interests.

Those who find nature an important spiritual pathway can see their own faith story unfold in the creation story of Genesis 1 and 2 in the Christian and Jewish Bible. Being mindful not to worship creation but only the Creator, a consideration of the natural world not only helps them do that, but also guides them in their stewardship of what God has created. Each day this week we will look to the ‘seven day’ creation story from these first two chapters of the Bible’s very first book. All references are from the Bible’s New Revised Standard Version.

Day 4 – “Aware” -- And God said, “Let there be lights in the… sky… to give light upon the earth…” (Genesis 1:14-15)

Read: Genesis 1:1, Genesis 1:14-19, Genesis 9:8-17, Psalm 8 and Matthew 16:1-4

Reflect: Lights in the firmament… Yes, enjoying the beauty of sky phenomena – sunrises and sets, rainbows, shooting stars, clouds, sundogs, aurora, glorioles, constellations and planets – is all about being in the right place at the right time to see them. But they’re also about something else: awareness. How often have I lifted my eyes to a fading rainbow or gloriole (a ring around the sun -- see photo above, a shot I took while visiting my daughter in ALaska), or missed the meteorite someone else in the group is always bound to see, because I was too preoccupied to notice them. I not only missed the chance for beauty, I missed the chance for gratitude. Say nothing of the pleasures of the more heady pursuits of astronomy or meteorology; there are myriad simple pleasures to be observed.

Oh, to have the curious, wholehearted spirit of a King David in Psalm 8, or of a John Muir, the grandpappy of Christian naturalists, who was quoted, “Look at that now… And to think that God should plan to bring us feckless creatures here at just the right moment, and then flash such glories at us! Man, we are not worthy of such honor! Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!” I’m not even certain what ‘feckless’ is, but I can get an idea from Muir’s enthusiasm!

Here’s the clincher, though. Our awareness of God’s constant presence can be as overlooked as our failure to notice or appreciate a rainbow. God said to Noah, “…it shall be a sign…” (Genesis 9:13) How many other signs of God’s presence and faithfulness do I routinely snub?

Observe: We’re back to looking to the sky today, as we did on day 2, but I’ll not ask for a five-minute retreat. Whenever outdoors, try today or tomorrow to simply look up several times throughout the day. Use that moment to notice what God might have up there; but then use the moment also to express your gratitude for God’s relentless, brooding presence over you.

Pray: Lord, a hymnwriter wrote that your lights in the sky “…join with all nature in manifold witness to thy great faithfulness, mercy and love.” I may not notice the glories of the sky as often as you present them, but may I never fail to notice your communications and activity in my life. Amen.

Hymn for the Day: “Christ Whose Glory Fills the Skies”

Link for the Day: A blogpost of mine on the size of the universe