"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands."
(Psa 19:1, NIV)
The Bible tells us that creation speaks. "The heavens declare...", "the skies proclaim...", "...the whole creation has been groaning...." (Psa 19:1; Rom 8:22, NIV). Creation is a physical and active witness to the Creator.
One lady I know, when asked how she came to believe in God, told me that she had never been to church a day in her life growing up but came to believe in God by spending time in nature. How cool is that?! Creation is a very effective street preacher!
Nature noticing is a practice that uses the biblical witness of nature to help us experience God's presence and hear God's voice. Nature noticing can take many forms, from simply noticing the glory of God while on a walk to an intentional look for God in a specific aspect of nature. Daniel Wolpert in his book Creating a Life with God says of praying in nature, "As we contemplate the glory of creation, the realization that we are all connected in God starts to take hold in our hearts and minds" (141).
One lady I know, when asked how she came to believe in God, told me that she had never been to church a day in her life growing up but came to believe in God by spending time in nature. How cool is that?! Creation is a very effective street preacher!
Nature noticing is a practice that uses the biblical witness of nature to help us experience God's presence and hear God's voice. Nature noticing can take many forms, from simply noticing the glory of God while on a walk to an intentional look for God in a specific aspect of nature. Daniel Wolpert in his book Creating a Life with God says of praying in nature, "As we contemplate the glory of creation, the realization that we are all connected in God starts to take hold in our hearts and minds" (141).
How to "Nature Notice"
As mentioned above, there are many ways to "Nature Notice." Below is a way that I practice Nature Noticing by myself and with my spiritual formation group.
1. Find a quiet location near a plant of your choosing. This could be in nature or in your home with a potted or vase-holding plant.
2. Take a few deep breaths and ask the Holy Spirit to open your heart and your mind to hear God's voice through creation.
3. Read a scripture passage of your choosing. The scripture doesn't need to be about nature at all. In fact, you may just find that nature can illuminate any part of scripture, no matter the subject matter.
4. Spend about 7 minutes in silence noticing the plant. Look at the plant closely. What stands out to you about the plant? How does this plant connect you to the scripture passage? (for example, it could be something physical about the plant or how the plant interacts with its ecosystem, or anything else that comes to mind) How does this plant connect you with God? What invitation have you received from this practice?
5. Thank God for the biblical witness of nature.
2. Take a few deep breaths and ask the Holy Spirit to open your heart and your mind to hear God's voice through creation.
3. Read a scripture passage of your choosing. The scripture doesn't need to be about nature at all. In fact, you may just find that nature can illuminate any part of scripture, no matter the subject matter.
- If you don't know where to start, I like to look at the daily office readings, which are pre-selected passages from the psalms, old testament, new testament, and gospel that are read by Christians around the world. You can view that here.
4. Spend about 7 minutes in silence noticing the plant. Look at the plant closely. What stands out to you about the plant? How does this plant connect you to the scripture passage? (for example, it could be something physical about the plant or how the plant interacts with its ecosystem, or anything else that comes to mind) How does this plant connect you with God? What invitation have you received from this practice?
5. Thank God for the biblical witness of nature.
Enjoyed this practice and want to try more? Try the Spiritual Thanksgiving Challenge which gives you 7 different spiritual practices for 7 days to help cultivate gratitude. Sign up for free today!
Work Cited: Wolpert, Daniel. Creating a Life with God: The Call of Ancient Prayer Practices. Nashville: Upper Room Books, 2003.