Hennie Symington

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called, you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people. Ephesians 1:18

Some of the most profound moments in Scripture where God draws near to someone and reveals himself personally, happen in nature or in gardens. The writer, theologian and philosopher, Richard Rohr, known for his writings on spirituality reflects on the value of the wilderness when he says: "… our first Bible is creation itself: It is the first revelation of the nature of God.” 

However, that does not mean that God is part of nature or in nature. God is the Creator and ruler of all that is on earth and a revelation from, or closeness to God can occur in places very far from nature – such as hospitals, prisons, next an open grave and many other places.

One desert recluse defines it thus: “You seek the Lord? Seek, but only within yourself. He is not far from anyone.” The Lord is near to all who truly call upon Him. Find a place in your heart, and speak there with the Lord. It is the Lord’s reception room. Everyone who meets the Lord meets him there; He has fixed no other place for the meeting of souls.” (Theophan the Recluse.) Theologians often speak of that “thin place”where faith occurs, where that meeting of God and man becomes real.

Prayer: Lord, thank Lord you that you are near us, not only in nature but most importantly in the depths of our soul where you shine the light of your love into the depth of our being. Amen