This morning in our Sunday School class someone made reference to Romans 8 … The created world itself can hardly wait for what’s coming next. Everything in creation is being more or less held back. God reins it in until both creation and all the creatures are ready and can be released at the same moment into the glorious times ahead. ~Peterson’s paraphrase of Romans 8:19-21
I thought about this holding back of creation as we walked around the lake today. We observed both new life springing forth and decay. We spotted hidden animals, camouflaged by God for protection … and smiled at the discovery. We celebrated the return of spring, the warmth of the breeze, the dappled lights of sunlight in the forest.
I love to tread the solitudes,
The forests and the trackless woods,
Where nature, undisturbed by man,
Pursues her voluntary plan.
Where nature’s chemistry distills
The fountains and the laughing rills,
I love to quaff her sparkling wine,
And breathe the fragrance of the pine.
I love to dash the crystal dews
From floral shapes of varied hues,
And interweave the modest white
Of columbine in garlands bright.
~Alfred King
Even though the “earth is being held back,” the beauty of nature is overwhelming … the peace it exudes even in the pangs of its rebirthing is amazing.
Anne Frank is quoted as saying: “The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and God. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that God wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature.”
For the beauty of the earth
For the glory of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies.
Lord of all, to Thee we raise,
This our hymn of grateful praise!
