Nature Relaxes While You Scurry

Thursday, September 28, 2023

There's something about getting older. We begin to slow down in many ways. Yes, we literally begin to slow down. But we also begin to notice and appreciate what I call the "undercurrent of life," the pace at which nature outside us and inside us just seems to mosey along.

Have you ever noticed as you go about your day, often in a hurry scurrying around to get things done, nature coasts along doing what it does?

Trees, plants, and grass keeping growing. Clouds meander across the sky. Insects go about their business. Birds glide with the wind. Seasons morph into each other without fanfare.

Nature around us does it's thing. But isn't it amazing how nature inside us also goes about it's own business without us noticing, until, of course, something seems to be amiss. Cells continue to evolve and interact. Bones and tendons hold us together and allow us to move. Our heart keeps pumping and our blood keeps nurturing it with oxygen. Our metabolism acts like a well-oiled machine (at least most of the time).

Consider Soul Nature

Let's not forget the "undercurrent of life" to which we should be most attentive, especially as we get older and our life clock gets closer to midnight, the soul the Lord, our God, gifted us. As attentive as we are to nature inside and outside us, it is the nature and condition of our soul that often goes unnoticed.

Whether it's the environment around us, our physical nature within us, or the spiritual reality of the soul granted us by God, changes take place all the time, and we often don't pay attention to them until it gets to a point when we can't ignore them. Nature flares up with storms and disasters. Our body begins to collapse. Our conscience, the caretaker of our soul, tells us it's time to take notice.

Seek to be aware of the "undercurrent of life" around you, and how it can soothe and change you, especially when soul care and repair is needed. Seek the cleansing care of the Lord Jesus and the renewing power of the Holy Spirit.

In God's Words

"Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come, the cooing of doves is heard in our land." (Song of Solomon 2:12)

“Listen to this, Job; stop and consider God’s wonders." (Job 37:14)

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." (Philippians 4:6)

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)

In The Words of Others

"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished," Lao Tzu

"Look deep into nature and you will understand everything better." Albert Einstein

"I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order."

John Burroughs

In Your Words

Have you ever stopped in the middle of a busy day to "smell the roses," appreciating the nature around you? Describe the feeling it gave you and how it affected the rest of your day.

Consider the same question about your soul care. How often do you take time, quality time, to "smell the roses" as it applies to the fragrance your soul is giving off in your life? How do you feel about that? Does anything need to change?

Meditate on the passages from Matthew and Philippians, and how the Lord has brought you peace and comfort when you have been stressed and need of deep soul care.