Seeking God In Nature: A Park Walk

“Enoch walked with God” is how Enoch’s life was described in Genesis 5:24. In the beginning Adam and Eve “heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day” (Genesis 3:8). Gods’ original intention for our life on earth was to walk with Him as He walks with us. Finding myself in Queens Park Glasgow pushing my grey pram down the concrete slope winding around past the murky pond waters I began to walk with God. Quietly calling out in prayer a beautiful rhythm of tongues left my lips. My spirit felt the urge to pray and that’s how my walk with God started this particular day. A breeze blew across my baby’s tender skin as sunlight flickered onto his face from the ray’s finding gaps between the layers of leaves. He was peacefully sleeping in the midst of Gods beautiful creation. Gazing to the left the reeds stood tall around the pond’s muddy banks with flowers of yellow peeking through the gaps and flowers of pink blossoming on the edge. Curving around the corner the willow branches arched over the pathway to hang across the waters, its pale green leaves dancing on the surface. Making my way under the shelters of the willow boughs the Lord spoke to me as I sought him in the nature around us. ‘The best way to know the artist is through what the art tells you.’ Pondering on this thought I realised I was amongst Gods artwork now. I was walking in His creation. I could seek the Lord and get to know His character in His creation of the natural world around us. A common theme my husband has encouraged me to question within my Bible studies is to ask, ‘What can I learn about the nature of God in this passage?’ Too often my quiet times with the Lord can be a focus on the current circumstances of my life and my seeking can be for a way to solve my situation. Rather it should be a reflection upon who is God and what can I learn about Him to know Him deeper. I had grown up in the countryside surrounded by Gods glorious creation, but I had only ever admired it for my own pleasure. This time I wanted to admire the scenery surrounding me to know the One who made it.

As I gazed and admired the Lords beautiful creation around us, I felt like time had stood still. It was so tranquil to be in the present and not constantly thinking about what I needed to get done at home, what to cook for dinner, when the next nappy change would be, the people I needed to respond to, and the work I had to get done. It was a moment to treasure just being still in the astounding presence of God. I grabbed my phone, but not to scroll on Instagram this time. Instead, I click open my notes app and begin to list the qualities I noticed in God’s creation that reflected His character. I wanted to know what I could learn about the Lord to draw me closer to Him through His creation.

The first few words that came to me as a summary of what I viewed as a whole were ‘beautiful’, ‘glorious’ and ‘detailed’. I could relate to the words of King David in Psalm 27:4 beholding “the beauty of the Lord.” As glorious as the gorgeous image of the natural world poses to us is I was reminded of John 1:14 that the greater glory that once dwelt on this earth with us. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth”, Jesus. The greater glory that is Jesus Christ taught us in Luke 12:7 that despite the intricate details of the plant and animal kingdom dwelling among us that the details God considered when creating us in His image are far more valuable to Him for “the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear; therefore, you are of more value than many sparrows.” Nevertheless, the vibrant colours contrasting the earth tones woven together in a tapestry of undergrowth, overgrowth, trees and shrubs captivated my vision. Just like in Exodus 26 and 27 the tabernacle of the Lord is composed of white, scarlet, purple, blue, gold and silver all representing different elements of His character. When evaluating art the choice of colours to match the theme being expressed is a critical part to interpreting the piece. God is purposeful in all He does and the colours He chose to paint the earth with are intentional to reflect the nature of Himself. White for purity (Revelation 19:8), scarlet for courage (Nahum 2:3), purple for royalty (Judges 8:26), blue for wisdom and faithfulness (Esther 8:15), gold for Kingly characteristics of strength, authority, loyalty, wealth, judgement, security and gifts (Isaiah 13:11-12), and silver for redemption (Zechariah 11:12). The personality of the Lord painted with brushstrokes of colour upon the blank canvas of the earth. Without Him this world would be nothing.

When I began to gaze further beyond the colours that surfaced the surroundings and instead take notice into the structures of the ecosystem He has built, I received deeper revelations of who my God is. The most noticeable was the greenery formed from the clustering layers of leaves cut into varying shapes and forming an umbrella above the walkway shielding us from the vast blue sky. “God said, ‘See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food” (Genesis 1:29). The trees, plants, crops, and shrubs seen symbolised the provision of the Lord to sustain us. Jehovah Jireh. The Lord will Provide. Furthermore, the canopy of green shade above acted as a shelter and a deeper dwelling place of habitation for many creatures creeping and crawling. The Lord promises us in His word that “My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, In secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places” (Isaiah 32:18). God gives us peace to live our lives in through the promise of His precious Holy Spirit through His Son Jesus Christ. As the tranquil words of Jesus says, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27). When we dwell in the peace of the Lord and under the shelter of His almighty wings we can be promised security, refuge, and safety as His Word tells us in Psalm 91:1-4, “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust. Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.” Here in Glasgow, we are often accustomed to bad weather forces of wind, storms, rain, and hail. The Holy Spirit reminded me that just as my earthly habitation protects us from the battling weather elements when we trust in dwelling in the Lords presence we are protected from all evil of the enemy.

I believe that each artist has an expectation for His artwork. An expectation that the art will cause an effect and impact to those viewing. God feels the same towards His creation. His expectation is that His creation will be fruitful. God instructs many times in His word to ‘be fruitful and multiply.’ God expects His creation to bear fruit. Fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) as love, joy, peace, patience, faithfulness, goodness, kindness, gentleness, and self-control should flow from our hearts and cause us to bear the fruits of His people.

What struck me is that no man could replicate and create anything as marvellous as the Lord God. The prophet Isaiah (45:18) wrote, “For thus says the Lord, Who created the heavens, Who is God, Who formed the earth and made it, Who has established it, Who did not create it in vain, Who formed it to be inhabited: I am the Lord, and there is no other.” He is the only One worthy of our praise and worship. He wants us to give Him all the glory and no other man made idol.