“The earth is the Lord’s and all its fullness, the world and those that dwell therein.” (Psalm 24:1) With those words in mind and believing that God can speak to us through creation, I took a two-mile walk. .The sun was shining vibrantly, warming me and the earth. On the other hand, the wind was blowing briskly, invigorating my steps and reminding me that creation has variety.
The most abundant sight on my walk was the trees. They number in the thousands. Mostly dormant now, they are waiting for the trumpet of spring to burst forth with life-giving beauty.
Most of the trees are second or third generation. The “parent” trees disappeared long ago. They remind me of the numerous second chances God has given me. Even this morning, I made a visit to correct a mistake I made.
The absence of evergreens in our neighborhood bothers me. The oaks and hickories, like greedy humans, have hogged the sun, water and earth so much the evergreens struggle. When an evergreen does appear, it is not a monument to beauty but a testimony of tenacity. There is a lesson in that for us.
There were creatures everywhere. Birds — dozens of robins were hunting on my lawn. Distant crows shouted their raspy conversations. Squirrels, those frolicsome nuisances, hopped from tree to tree and scampered across the ground. Mole hills are everywhere. Neighbors gather to discuss “what to do about the moles.” I wonder why God created moles.
The creatures missing on my walk were the humans. They hide in their homes and miss the grandeur of God’s earth. They say, “It’s too cold, too hot, too wet to be outside.” Meanwhile, creation longs to laud the love and beauty of the Creator.
Lovers are among the most sensitive to creation. Love songs are often tied to earth’s charms – “By the light of the silvery moon”; “Wait till the sun shines, Nellie …for you and I;” “The world was in bloom — there were stars in the sky, except for the few that were there in your eyes.”
A wise Celtic cleric, Phillip Newell, said, “The world is full of God’s glory as well as being streaked with darkness and wrong.” Be careful. If you focus too much on the streaks of darkness, you miss God’s glory.
