god’s nature Abigail Howe
I
never thought of going outside as much of a luxury. It’s something that’s easy to take for granted, especially in Oxford, where you can explore the Botanical Gardens or Port Meadow without much thought. But, under current lockdown rules, time outside is limited. While having a garden helps, we can’t move around with our typical freedom. It’s given me a new appreciation for walking and the world around me; I’m lucky enough to have fields near my house where I’m unlikely to run into other people. Over the past few weeks, I’ve been amazed by the pace of the change—flowers blooming and fruit trees growing rapidly. My regular walks have encouraged me to think about seasons, beauty, and the hope which God can transform into certainty. It’s easy to recognise the beauty of the natural world without thinking about the reason for it. Psalm 19 tells us that “the heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands”. Theologically, then, nature is an active participant, drawing attention to God’s glory simply through its existence. But it is our responsibility to notice it. It’s far too easy to get wrapped up in deadlines, stress and socialising, especially during term-time. We can forget to look beyond ourselves and see God’s glory actualised through the world around us. While it can feel like we’re frozen in time and estranged from our normal lives, this can also be a time of reflection where we can slow down, look at the world around us, and think about life’s biggest questions.
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