Life has been tough lately. I have felt pushed and shoved and hurried and beaten down at every turn. I’ve hardly had a chance to eat or sleep, let alone sit and muse about nature. Nevertheless, tonight I found myself a bench in the Bowl and sat there for awhile, letting my mind wander.
The symphony of crickets and cicadas combined with the rustling leaves overhead formed a soundtrack for the evening. Stalwart trees formed a protective shield around me and allowed me to let my guard down and rest. Deeply, I breathed in air scented with wisteria, dirt, grass, and leftover rain. I kicked off my flip flops and ran my toes through the silky soil beneath the bench. I absentmindedly drew patterns in the dirt until my toes found a patch of velveteen grass and lingered there awhile. A breeze blew and a single leaf drifted casually to the ground. I closed my eyes and soaked it in.
I realized how preoccupied I have been. I realized how misdirected my attentions have been. I have been so focused on taking tests and writing papers that I have completely ignored the wonder of nature all around me. I was dumbfounded to consider that every atom has to be perfectly arranged to form molecules which must be exactly placed to form cells which must be precisely designed to function in just the right way to make up every living thing. The fact that there is air that can be moved that can bend the hairs on my skin that can send signals to my brain that can allow me to feel the breeze blowing against my arms astounds me. The fact that my heart is beating and my muscles are contracting and my nerves are firing all without my conscious effort leaves me speechless.
All of these thoughts swarmed through my head as I pondered the infinite majesty of God, who can keep electrons circling nuclei and the earth circling the sun. He does not only orchestrate the entire universe to function, but to be beautiful and awe-inspiring as well! He has not only created the grandeur of a sunset, but has created our eyes to see it! It was in that moment, sitting in the Bowl by myself, under the few stars beginning to flicker in the sky, that I began to fully understand what the psalmist meant in Psalm 19:1 – “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” It was in that moment that my priorities were straightened out and my soul was renewed.
Thanks Dr. Hendrixson; nature musing did me a world of good.
