“The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims God’s handiwork. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge. Their voice is not heard; yet their voice goes out through all the Earth and their words to the end of the world. "
(Psalm 19 1-4). 

As Christians we are in the “Season of Creation”. Churches celebrate this period from the World Day of Prayer for the Care of the Creation (1 September) until the Feast of St Francis of Assisi, lover of creation and the patron saint of ecology (4 October).

In South Africa the Season of Creation coincides with Springtime with its longer and warmer days. Most mornings, I am blessed to be able to go for a walk, in a nearby park where the trees are budding with new green leaves and blossoms of pale pink, dark pink and white. The Spirit of God greening the earth. Breath taking!

St Hildegard of Bingen uses the word ‘veriditas’ which means “greening” to talk about the creative, life-giving power of God. She says: “The Word is loving, being, spirit, all verdant greening, all creativity. This word manifests itself in every creature.”

When we spend time in nature, we allow ourselves to be drenched in the life-giving, healing, renewing life of God, who’s spirit is constantly at work recreating life, in nature and in us. We find ourselves restored and made whole when we spend time in nature. When we become disconnected from Creation, we become disconnected from ourselves and from God who is Creator.

There is an old story told about a Rabbi who was asked what he believed God would ask us at the end of our lives. He responded simply: “God will ask us: “Did you enjoy my Creation?””

God never stops creating – that life-giving energy is constantly poured out. It is God’s nature to give and sustain life. We are entrusted with the responsibility to both enjoy and care for that Creation – the created beauty of the natural world and all its creatures.

Take a nature walk using the gift of your senses to enjoy God’s creation - focus on what you can see, then what you can hear, smell, touch and when you get home savour a cup of tea, coffee or glass of cold water. 

Can you make space to allow yourself, somewhere in this week, to be drenched in the beauty of a sunrise or sunset, or to stop and breathe in the magnificence of some spring blossoms? 

Creative Life-giver, 
Help me to savour the gifts of nature.
To pause long enough to savour them anew
And to recognise you in your creation.

Amen.