Create a peaceful space to pause, and allow yourself to feel God’s presence alongside you, as near to you as your own breath. In following the reflection below, as a church we will draw closer to God and to one another as we grow in faith and deepen our sense of belonging to God.
Matthew 6:26,28,30 ‘Do not Worry’
26 Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 28 And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin. 30 But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you – you of little faith?
Psalm 19:1
The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Robert and I love watching the little birds coming to feed at our bird table. Some time before lockdown, I went on retreat and spent a lot of time at a nearby wildfowl reserve. There were more breeds of ducks than I had known existed and also some beautiful black Tasmanian swans, as well as the stately white ones I was more used to. There were numerous different sorts of geese and little moorhens bobbed to and fro amongst the bigger birds, while seagulls invaded the pool whenever there was food about. Twice I was lucky enough to see a heron quite close by, balanced motionless on a log. Here in our garden it’s most likely to be tits, robins and finches that we watch and we rejoice at all this beauty in God’s creation.
One of the important ways God nourishes our souls with his loving presence is through the beauty of nature. The moon and stars remind us that God’s light and love shine on us even in the dark and the sun warms us from the heavens and lights our way by day. Throughout the Bible we read of God communicating with us in the skies, ocean waves, breeze rustling through the trees, fields and flowers, and birds that look beautiful and sing cheerfully. In the Gospel verses above Jesus reassures us that just as our Father in heaven always cares for the birds of the air, he cares too for us. And just as he clothes the grass of the field with flowers, we have no need to worry about being clothed.
The creation reveals God’s beauty to us, his glory, power, wisdom, presence, and creativity. Most of all it reveals to us God’s loving care. That’s why it’s good that we’re drawn to spend time noticing and admiring the loveliness of flowers and plants, to take a walk on a beautiful day. Gardening, playing with your dog in the grass, holding your cat or feeding the birds are just some of the ways for many of us to connect with God’s loving presence.
Prayer:
Creator God, The warmth of the sun’s embrace, the gentle breeze swept in by incoming tide, the rhythm of seasons, of new birth, death and recreation.
All these speak so clearly of your love, your power and your beauty.
All are expressions of your creativity, and more importantly of yourself.
That we can glimpse you within creation is a beautiful thought, but also tells us that you desire to be seen, to be found and known.
Open our eyes, Lord, as we walk through this world, feel the wind and sunshine,
see the majesty of creation unfolding before our eyes.
Help us to see you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Reflection and Prayer © 2021 Ann Caffyn.
Image freely available online.
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All material within this order of worship is reproduced by permission under CCL 1226356