Creation is Calling - are you listening? Here's our latest blog post from Rev. Justin Montague, Curate at St George & St Paul, Tiverton.
We have recently had a generous influx of garden visitors over the last month including squirrels, birds of many varieties and cats to name but a few. A little while back a wandering pheasant, searching the freshly manicured lawn for some nourishment, was a particular highlight, as was the crow warbling to an echo down the chimney into our living room.
One of my joys is just to sit and watch them from the window, a welcome break from the computer and something I find deeply relaxing. But more than that, whenever I pause, focus and intentionally observe nature interacting with itself in all its intricate detail, it gives me a true sense of the divine, of awe and wonder of the maker behind it all.
During lockdown as I ran along the canal, I saw someone in our church family on a walk who guided my eyes toward the beautiful presence of a kingfisher carefully hidden in the surrounding tree leaves, something I surely would have missed had I not taken a moment to pause and take a breath.
Psalm 19.1 says ‘the heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.' Nature itself may not offer words of speech, but in its very ‘being’ it offers thousands upon thousands of silent witnesses to the mystery of what God has made throughout country, town, city and park, singing endless praises ‘How great Thou art!'
Creationtide is the period in the annual church calendar from 1st September to 4th October, dedicated to God as Creator and Sustainer of all life. We reflect, give thanks and pray in this season, for our created world and our calling to be good stewards of it and to pass on this gift faithfully, with dignity, to each next generation.
The Church believes that we have an important role to play as part of God’s Mission in the world, as a signpost to the reality of God’s Kingdom and Kingdom Values. In the Anglican church, one of our Five Marks of Mission is ‘to strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth.’
May I encourage us all in these coming weeks, to take some time to stop, look and listen to how creation and nature itself is singing God’s praises and allow that to lead you in prayer and loving action for our world.
Grace and peace,
Justin
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