FOR THE BEAUTY OF THE EARTH

Spider Rock in Canyon de Chelly AZ

by Stephen L Dunn

Reading: Ecclesiastes 12:1

"We live in an ugly world," someone said to me the other.  They were thinking of the moral decay that has come to define our western world. They were also reflecting on the abrasive, divisive, unbending nature of much of human discourse, particularly political conversation.

Indeed, humanity has made a mess of Planet Earth. Our sin has made turned human relationship and history into a continuing descent into  depravity.

It would be easy for me to grow pessimistic, depressed, angry.  All that would accomplish would be to make me a poor vessel for the love of God.  A voice screaming doom and defeat in the wilderness.  A person who pulls into a defensive huddle where my salt and light no longer preserved or brought light to a very troubled place.

In the midst of that. my eyes are often draw unto the hills - to the places where the wonder and beauty of creation reminds me of the providential and powerful hand of the Creator.

In 1901 an American pastor, Maltbie Babcock. penned these words that bear witness to this fact.

This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world: I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
His hand the wonders wrought.
This is my Father’s world, the birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white, declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world: He shines in all that’s fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass;
He speaks to me everywhere.
This is my Father’s world. O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world: the battle is not done:
Jesus Who died shall be satisfied,
And earth and Heav’n be one.
This is my Father’s world, dreaming, I see His face.
I ope my eyes, and in glad surprise cry, “The Lord is in this place.”
This is my Father’s world, from the shining courts above,
The Beloved One, His Only Son,
Came—a pledge of deathless love.
This is my Father’s world, should my heart be ever sad?
The lord is King—let the heavens ring. God reigns—let the earth be glad.
This is my Father’s world. Now closer to Heaven bound,
For dear to God is the earth Christ trod.
No place but is holy ground.
This is my Father’s world. I walk a desert lone.
In a bush ablaze to my wondering gaze God makes His glory known.
This is my Father’s world, a wanderer I may roam
Whate’er my lot, it matters not,
My heart is still at home.

Ausulkan Glacier, Canadian Rockies

Long ago Solomon wrote: "Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near when you will say, "I have no delight in them"; - Ecclesiastes 12:1.  Good counsel in troubled days. When you feel the world closing in on you, step put into Creation and see the hand of the Lord who is always at work.

(C) 2011 by Stephen L Dunn