Deep within me (and I suspect many of you) is the urge to find a clean quiet place to seek peace and solitude– free of the hustle and bustle of people moving around at a frantic pace.
SEEKING THAT PLACE
I seek those moments to meditate and reflect on things when the pressures of a fast-paced human lifestyle build up. Where do I turn to in those moments? I often go to fresh, natural places to experience the little joys and pleasures of observing the many other living things around me. It’s not possible for me to view even the tiniest insect (under a microscope) without marveling at the unique qualities, colors, shapes and functions it possesses. How neatly it fits into its role or purpose for that habitat or ecosystem and helps that system function more efficiently. What a testament to a unique creativity!
GOD’S CREATIVITY
During such meditative moments I find it impossible to appreciate such unique creativity without recognizing that creativity as God. There is so much beauty around us in the plants, insects, birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians! It helps me realize and rejoice in the fact that we are not the only living things on earth. We are called to share this earth with these living things by taking care of what God has gifted to us. But when I reflect on this I find myself asking, “Do we, as humans, even take the time to appreciate them? Or are we lost in our own little microcosms?” I think God wants us to not only recognize the beauty of creation and appreciate it but also to take good care of it.
GOOD STEWARDS OR NOT?
This “taking care of “it” also called “good stewardship.” Good stewardship involves knowing and caring, which connects us with the spirit of Love that is God’s essence. I have always felt that we are called to cherish and protect the many living places and creatures that co-exist in our world. But are we able to rise to that challenge and live it out? Must we succumb to the selfishness that calls us to squeeze every possible profit out of the natural resources around us to benefit only ourselves?
The great oil spill tragedy now taking place in the Gulf of Mexico often intrudes into my meditative moments and dispels the peace and comfort. I am pulled away from the pleasures of the relatively untainted natural world here in Virginia, to the oil-slicked, miry waters that are polluting the ocean, its Gulf Stream, and the shorelines to the north and east in Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida. It’s difficult to find peace in my meditations, knowing the pain, misery and death taking place there, including the many fish, reptiles, mammals, and birds which are affected. It is times like these that I realize how knowledge of these creatures’ biology brings pain with it. Ignorance can sometimes be bliss. I wish I did not know so much about “oceanic trophic levels;” about how oil can poison and slowly kill a water-bird, sea turtle, dolphin or whale; how heavy oil destroys the intricate food webs, productivity, and overall ecology of tidal marshes for the long-term; or how many different life forms will be impacted or destroyed. I wish I could instantly share this knowledge, and the pain that comes with it, and with those people most responsible and negligent in their responsibilities to safeguard these– Oh so critical jewels of our natural resources for the benefits of future generations.
LET GO & LET GOD
Then my meditation brings me to the familiar, old reminder that comes through loud and clear once again: “Let go and let God take care of this.” We are all called to do what we can and to make a difference for good, but there comes a time when the magnitude of the crime against nature requires God’s involvement. So, at those times I pray hard and in so doing find comfort – as a loving God once again soothes the soul of those who care, and who suffer for caring.
And so my meditation brings me full circle – back to my present place and its beauty and cheerful bird calls, colorful plants and clean water – away from that dark place where so much pain, death and destruction is occurring. I know that soon I will respond to the great need out there and do what I can to help, but for now I will rejoice in one place that is still free, clean, beautiful and wild.
