Learning from Creation: Consistent Worship in Nature

LEARNING FROM CREATION: THE MOST CONSISTENT WORSHIPPERS

In reflecting on the presence of Gods Spirit in creation, Rev Dr Terry LeBlanc says, we fail miserably to account for the work of the Spirit dare I say, the gifts of the Spirit so abundantly evident in the rest of Creation . it is in the rest of creation where we find the gifts of the Spirit most manifest, or perhaps better put, most consistently manifested. We find this expression in the natural way of life which creatures living in a more intuitive way with their Creator tend to express. . Terry Le Blanc, New Old Perspectives: Theological Observations Reflecting Indigenous World Views , in Global Theology in Evangelical Perspective: Exploring the Contextual Nature of Theology and Mission, ed. Jeffrey P. Greenman and Gene I. Green (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2012).

In Genesis 1 and 2 the entirety of creation is described as primarily and inherently relational. This is because it is inherently spiritual, proceeding from the creative nature that we observe in the Trinitarian relationship of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Spirit of the Trinity broods over the waters and is instilled in the rest of creation as life is given to it. Relationship with God is the intent in the creation act . Animals, plant life, birds, and fish are linked to their Creator spiritually and intuitively an intuition that I would suggest is retained in the rest of creation but which in humans has been supplanted by ego and ethnocentrism. Unlike humanity, the rest of creation lives in constant expression of the Spirit and the intent of the Creator illustrating proper relationship and relatedness. We see this so clearly and compellingly in Job s reply to his counsellors. Terry Le Blanc, New Old Perspectives: Theological Observations Reflecting Indigenous World Views , in Global Theology in Evangelical Perspective: Exploring the Contextual Nature of Theology and Mission, ed. Jeffrey P. Greenman and Gene I. Green (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2012).

the restoration of relationship and relatedness of all things by the Spirit not simply human soul salvation for humanity relational intimacy with the One who made them is subjected to distorted yearnings for transcendence and meaning, punctuated regularly by an idolatry that misrepresents the intended relationship between humankind, the Creator and the rest of creation. This is the curse. All of creation, Paul emphatically notes (Rom 8:22*), not simply human beings, is subjected to its effect. *Romans 8:22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.

But ask the animals, and they will teach you; the birds of the air, and they will tell you; Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? Job 12:7 , 9

Psalm 65:12: The pastures of the wilderness shout for joy, the hills gird themselves with rejoicing Psalm 66:4: All the earth worships you and sings praises to you; they sing praises to your name. Psalm 19:1: The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims God s handiwork. Psalm 97:5-6 The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth. The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all peoples see his glory.

Revelation 5:13: Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!

Matthew 14:23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Luke 5:16 Yet He frequently withdrew to the wilderness to pray.

Psalm 121:1-2 I lift up my eyes to the mountains where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. Psalm 72:3 The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness.

Questions What do you learn from creation about God? Think specifically, what is a lesson you have learnt from nature that has taught you something about God, life, the world, faith?

Psalm 148: 1- 14 1 Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise them in the heights! 2 Praise them, all their angels; praise them, all his hosts! 3 Praise her, sun and moon, praise her, all you shining stars! 4 Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens! 5 Let them praise the name of the Lord! For God commanded and they were created.

Psalm 148: 1- 14 6 And God established them forever and ever; she gave a decree, and it shall not pass away. 7 Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all deeps, 8 fire and hail, snow and mist, stormy wind fulfilling his word! 9 Mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars! 10 Beasts and all livestock, creeping things and flying birds!

Psalm 148: 1- 14 11 Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all rulers of the earth! 12 Young men and maidens together, old men and children! 13 Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his majesty is above earth and heaven. 14 God has raised up a horn for her people, praise for all her saints, for the people of Israel who are near to her.

Question How does the way creation worships God inspire, inform or shape our worship of God as humans? In what ways do other parts of creation praise God, that might teach us how to worship as humans?

Galarrwuy Yunupingu, tribal elder of the Gumatj People of North East Arnhem Land teaches [t]he goodness that is in the land in the trees, in the water, in the rocks, in the beauty of the landscape and nature itself enables us to breathe, live and enjoy [w]hen you sit in your own country, your Spirits lift and you are again truly back to the land where things make sense and your life has meaning this is where I must be if I am to survive and prosper in this mixed-up world . Aboriginal woman Cynthia Rowan says our Spirituality is life-minded. It is life-minded not just in the sense of people s lives; it is in the lands, the birds, the trees, the rocks, the waterholes, mountains, and so on . Galarrwuy Yunupingu, Concepts of Land and Spirituality, in Aboriginal Spirituality: Past, Present, Future, ed. Anne Pattel-Gray (Blackburn, Vic: HarperCollins: 1996), 7-8.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wKqPjzlNpyU

LEARNING FROM CREATION: THE MOST CONSISTENT WORSHIPPERS