All Nature Sings and so Should We

When I lived in a wooded setting I wrote the following about birdsong filling the air.

Robins serenade the rising sun. A cardinal whistles its distinctive tune. Goldfinch warble. The melodic notes of song sparrows reverberate from tree to tree. Mourning doves coo. Chickadees chatter. Somewhere down the slope near the stream a bass drum sounds—a ruffled grouse strutting his stuff. Not to be outdone a woodpecker picks up the tune on a hollow tree. The echoes reverberate throughout the valley.

I envy our feathered friends their musical prowess. Ever since grade school when I failed an audition for a part in a Stephen Foster musical, I’ve avoided singing in public. Tough, when one is a pastor expected to lead in congregational singing! I had to make it very clear, wherever I served, that singing was not one of my abilities. When seated in a congregation I keep my voice low enough so that neighboring worshippers aren’t distracted by my off-key renditions. When I wax too loud, Mary Helen gives me a jab.

The fact that I’m musically challenged doesn’t mean I don’t love music. I often tune in to the local classical station or play CD’s while I work. Music is one of God’s greatest gifts to us. It captures our moods. It encourages our hearts. It instructs our minds. It lifts us from darkness into light. Through music we rise on the wings of angels to join the throngs around the throne.

With such a wonderful God to celebrate, it’s no wonder that God’s children love to sing. From the songbook of the Old Testament to “The Messiah”; from Isaac Watts and Charles Wesley to the explosion of contemporary music in our day—whatever you might think about today’s bards—believers sing on their way to heaven.

Moses and Deborah celebrated deliverance with song. David sang everywhere; in the mountains with his flock of sheep, deep in a cave when hunted by his enemies, on the road to Zion while bringing up the ark and especially in the temple. His son, Solomon, composed 1005 songs, including the sweet “Song of Songs”. Even one of Job’s erstwhile comforters got it right when he spoke of God giving songs in the night. Paul and Silas sang in prison. In the Bible’s climactic vision of future glory we see the hosts of heaven singing the song of Moses and the new song of the Lamb.[1]

Around the earth churches emulate the Bible’s songsters. Sadly, embarrassment at my poor singing voice restricts how much I sing around the house. Perhaps that’s why in the morning one of the first things I do is leaf through the hymnbook. What a treasure! Like the songbirds it encourages us to awaken the day with song.

When morning gilds the skies,

My heart awaking cries,

May Jesus Christ be praised.[2]

In the morning, before our necessary duties intervene, and as the day ends, we would be wise to emulate the sweet psalmist of Israel who wrote, “Where morning dawns and evening fades you call forth songs of joy.”[3]

Joyful, joyful we adore thee

God of glory, Lord of love;

Hearts unfold like flowers before thee,

Opening to the sun above.[4}

Overcome with a poetic vision of God’s providential care for the world, David exults, “the grasslands . . the hills . . . the meadows . . .the valleys . . . they shout for joy and sing.”[5] Although all creation groans in its frustration over the effects of the fall, yet a mysterious consciousness of the creative majesty of God overcomes creation’s reticence, and calls forth songs of praise.[6]

I like to think that the birds join that chorus.

This is my Father’s world,

And to my listening ears

All nature sings, and round me rings

The music of the spheres.[7]

Even when enemies plot our harm or trouble dogs our footsteps David teaches us to find renewed courage through singing of God’s glories. Pursued by Saul’s men, David composed a song that concludes; “I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.”[8]

A mighty fortress is our God

A bulwark never failing;

Our helper He amid the flood

Of mortal ills prevailing.[9]

The Scriptures urge us to sing in darkness and pain and trouble and night. Perhaps this habit of singing in prison helped the apostle Paul to pen the joyful and enlightening prison epistles from his prison cell.

He giveth more grace when the burden grows greater;

He sending more strength when the labors increase.

To added affliction He addeth His mercy

To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.[10]

The songs we sing around the Lord’s Table are especially meaningful.

Jesus, Thy blood and righteousness

My beauty are, my glorious dress;

Midst flaming worlds, in these arrayed,

With joy shall I lift up my head.[11]

Since my singing has been rather circumspect during my lifetime, I trust there will be much song at my funeral. Morose thought? Hardly. Consider:

Face to face with Christ my Savior,

Face to face—what will it be—

When with rapture I behold Him,

Jesus Christ who died for me?

Or this one:

There’s a land that is fairer than day,

And by faith we can see it afar,

For the Father waits over the way

To prepare us a dwelling place there.

I have a feeling that my voice will sound like that of an angel in that land that is fairer than day!

Heavenly Father, remind me to look more often in the hymnbook. Such a wealth of uplifting praise, heartening instruction, and heart-felt comfort! Blessed Holy Spirit, may the birdsong I hear every morning remind me to lift my heart often in praise and thanksgiving.

(Let me know your thoughts on this subject. If you appreciate this blog, please pass it on. If I can help you spiritually, let me know. Further articles, books, and stories at:  Facebook: Eric E Wright Twitter: @EricEWright1 LinkedIn: Eric Wright ; Eric’s books are available at: https://www.amazon.com/Eric-E.-Wright/e/B00355HPKK%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share)

[Watch for news of the reprinting of this book; Down A Country Road]

---

[1] Deut. 32; Judges 5; 1 Kings 4:30; Job 35:10; Acts 16:25; Eph. 5:19; Rev. 5:9; 14:3; 15:3

[2] Translated by Edward Caswall from Katholisches Gesangbuch, Wurzburg, 1828

[3] Psalm 65:8

[4] Text by Henry Van Dyke, Music by Beethoven. Note all hymns quoted are in the public domain.

[5] Psalm 65:12,13

[6] See Rom 8:19-21

[7] Maltbie D. Babcock

[8] Psalm 59:16

[9] Martin Luther, translated by Frederick H. Hedge

[10] Annie Johnson Flint

[11] Nicolaus L. von Zinzendorf: translated by John Wesley

The Wren – A Parable

The wren Mary Helen and I found singing its heart out one day, is to me a parable. The wren is a tiny bird and quite ordinary in its plumage. Yet its song sweetens the whole atmosphere around it, even on a hot, dry day. Have you ever noticed that it’s often the inconspicuous and quiet people who bless a family or gathering. Not flashy, or overly demonstrative, or pushy, they are often the strong, stable types who provide the ballast for society.

As Paul wrote, “not many wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called. But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, …the week…the base…and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence” (1 Cor. 1:26-29) Or as Christ taught, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt. 5:3).

Lord help us to be meek without being afraid to act decisively for the kingdom. Help our lives to be an encouragement to others. Help us to be stable and faithful without being ostentatious. Help us to be happy to sing like the wren even if we can’t be an opera singer or crack the hall of fame. (The image below is a sparrow, equally non-descript. I don’t have a picture of the wren.)

A Florida Road Trip

1. BEACH LIFE and SUNSETS

During my trip to Florida I experienced the beach life, visits to the Everglades with their gators, an Airboat ride through a mangrove swamp, exciting views of birds, wanders through markets, a visit to a wonderful botanical garden, a road trip on the Keys, and a glorious sunset.

I am thankful to my family for overcoming my extreme reticence to take such a trip and especially to Debbie and Brian for hosting me in their condo. I’m also grateful to Stephen for interrupting his business to drive me through the Everglades and along the Keys, and take me on an airboat tour of the everglades. Then there was my grandson Luke and his girlfriend Marie who drove my car down while I flew south so that we could share driving on the return trip to Canada.  

God is good—all the time.

Let me share some of my impressions by first giving you a glimpse of beach life, collecting shells, and a wonderful sunset evening.

2 – AIRBOATS AND GATERS

No visit to Florida would be complete without venturing beyond the beaches into the Everglades for an up-close visit with alligators and an airboat ride. Fortunately, Stephen, my oldest son, interrupted his business to make sure I had experiences in Florida’s wild side. First we visited a thriving church in Naples then drove along highway 41 through the Everglades to Florida City which became our base for two days. One day we had a leisurely drive along the Keys and the next day returned to Sarasota along Alligator Alley (highway 75). But before we left the Everglades we had a thrilling airboat ride through a mangrove swamp. Here are a few pictures of the gators, birds we saw, and the airboat ride. The pilot stopped in a narrow channel through the mangrove swamp to regale us with stories, including about giant pythons thriving in the swamps, 5 of which he has killed.

These posts will continue.

(Let me know your thoughts on this subject. If you appreciate this blog, please pass it on. Further articles, books, and stories at:  Facebook: Eric E Wright Twitter: @EricEWright1 LinkedIn: Eric Wright ; Eric’s books are available at: https://www.amazon.com/Eric-E.-Wright/e/B00355HPKK%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share)

Dogs Illustrate Why We Should Love Nature.

In our condo community many people have dogs. We see them out walking their dogs in all weather. Nowadays, dogs have their own barbers, dentists, surgeons, and specialized nutritionists. The new breeds are very expensive to buy and costly to keep. Why then do so many people have them? I have a theory.

People love dogs because they are so faithful. In this day when so many human relationships are broken, dogs fill a need for love that is uncomplicated. If we are away from home, dogs race to meet us when we return. They don’t argue back, they just love us, day after day after day. When I was a boy, my dog Frisky would often follow me to school and wait for me by my bike. Dogs illustrate the faithful love many lonely people are longing for.

In the third in our series we’ve come to another reason why Christians should be students of the created world; THE NATURAL WORLD ILLUSTRATES SPIRITUAL PRINCIPLES. Elements of creation often illustrate how to live, how to act or how not to act.

Baby Robins, 2012

The author of Proverbs urges us; “go to the ant, you sluggard, learn from his ways and be wise” (Prov. 6:6). Don’t be lazy; work hard. “Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who strays from his home” (Prov. 27:8). Even birds know the importance of faithfulness to one’s family. “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another” (Prov. 27:17). We need friends. Friends inspire us to be thoughtful, dependable, wiser and less self-centred.

Since as Christians we should be continually growing in faith, hope, love and all the godly qualities, we may look around for illustrations that urge us toward more excellence. Mosquitoes, flies and poison ivy remind us that we live in a fallen world and we should not live as if it is all there is. We can live lives of hope and expectation knowing that there will be a new world without evil. Pelicans know where they are going. Do we? Are our lives purposeful?

Isaiah pointed out, “the ox knows his master, the donkey his owner’s manger, but Israel does not know…” (Isaiah 1:3). Even dumb animals remind us to be ever conscious of the Lordship of God over our lives. “In him we live and move and have our being.” Every provision we have comes from his hand. Are we grateful and faithful?

Jesus often used examples from nature to illustrate his teaching. “Look at the birds of the air, they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them…why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow…do not worry” (Matt 6:26,28ff). Worrying about what we have or haven’t got, worrying about tomorrow is pointless and shows a lack of faith in our Father’s ability to care for us.

The Bible is full of natural allusions. Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5)

Canada geese fly in a V formation which cuts down individual drag making it easier for all to fly. The individual geese take turns as the lead goose, showing us that shared leadership and group effort is much more effective than going it alone.

Whenever we are out for a hike through the woods or a walk along a lake, we can look around us for lessons that may remind us about how we should live.

(Let me know your thoughts on this subject. If you appreciate this blog, please pass it on. Further articles, books, and stories at: http://www.countrywindow.ca Facebook: Eric E Wright Twitter: @EricEWright1 LinkedIn: Eric Wright ––)

Beauty for Ashes

A few weeks ago, I noticed some very tiny flowers in an uncultivated flower bed—weeds, but very pretty. Later in another part of town, I spied a cheerful carpet of mauve flowers on a lawn. Alas, they too were weeds. These tiny flowering weeds got me thinking.

In many ways, the world in which we live is very dark. People are losing hope. An advertisement for a new book professing to solve all human problems is a symptom of this malaise. No, it doesn’t ask us to “love God and love our neighbours as ourselves.” Evidently, forgetting the dismal record of the last 200 years, the solution proposed is scientific and biological. Vain hope. But at least its analysis of our condition is relatively accurate. We live in “a world facing complete breakdown from terrorism, refugee crises, corrupted economies, polarized politics, family disintegration, rampant mental illness and ecological devastation.”

No wonder doom and gloom occupy most writers these days. Yes, but what about God? “He makes all things beautiful in his time” (Eccl.3:11). As the One who is altogether lovely, whatever he touches becomes beautiful. David’s longing was “to gaze on the beauty of the Lord…all the days of my life” (Psalm 27:4). The antidote to ugliness and evil, is God.

Have we failed to notice indications of God’s glory scattered prodigiously throughout the earth? What do I mean? I mean those silent witnesses to the beauty of God and His salvation. Every beautiful thing in creation points to its Creator and whispers, hope. As Isaiah prophecies of Jesus; “The Lord has anointed me to preach good news to the poor…to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes…a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair…a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor” (Isaiah 61:1,3).

The beauty of a baby’s smile. The fragrance of lilac. The beauty enshrined in a grain of sand or a snowflake. The rainbow reflected from a drop of dew. The infinite shape of clouds. The loveliness and variety of myriads of flowers. The shape of trees. The magnificence of mountains. The splendour of the sea. The magic of sunrise and twilight. What about butterflies and birds; diamonds and dandelions. Lord, the earth is full of your glory!

Have we failed to notice God’s beautifying touch? The refugees who shout hallelujah after being saved by Jesus Christ. The drug addict in Brooklyn totally delivered from addiction. The abuser becoming gentle and loving. What about myriads of men and women from every tribe and nation who have seen their fear and despair replaced by joy and peace and hope?

Oh, yes, the cataclysm produced by the fall of mankind into sin, produced thorns and thistles, hatred and war; and probably mosquitoes, volcanoes, tornadoes and earthquakes. And yet, God has not left us without witness. If we would but look, we would find glimpses of beauty from the hands of the Creator at every turn. And that beauty bears witness to hope in seemingly hopeless situations; hope through bowing in faith to Jesus Christ, the Lord. Then we will revel in beauty and worship God in the “beauty of holiness”.

(Further articles, books, and stories at: http://www.countrywindow.ca Facebook: Eric E Wright Twitter: @EricEWright1 LinkedIn: Eric Wright )

This Beautiful World-And The Next

Mary Helen and I often comment about the beauty spread around us. A stunning sunset. The changing array of wildflowers. The soft green of tree leaves whispering in the breeze. The birds that inhabit our world. Each species of bird has a distinct personality and dress. The friendly black-capped chickadees keep us entertained all year as they flit from feeder to forest. The robins scold us whenever we come near their nest.

But this year, more than any, we’ve been blessed by the unusual variety of beautiful birds visiting our bird feeders. By hanging out orange slices, we’ve enticed a pair of the Baltimore orioles to nest nearby. Although very skittish, their stunning orange dress catches our eye whenever they raid the hummingbird feeder. Their chatter echoes from the woods.

The bright blaze of scarlet on the rose-breasted grosbeak and the deep blue of the tiny indigo bunting also arrest our attention. And who does not delight in the brilliant yellow of the goldfinch. Occasionally we catch sight of a red cardinal whistling for its mate or visiting the feeder.

The astounding acrobatics of the hummingbirds entertain us from spring to fall. I’m sure evolutionists can find some reason for the iridescent patch on the male, but I just enjoy the beauty.

We’re not even in the tropics where gorgeous parrots flit through the rain forest and orchids hang from the trees, but even here in a temperate zone, God has touched everything with His artistry. His handiwork is evident in rock crystals, sea creatures, cloud formations, birds, insects and flowers. Such astounding diversity!

If God continues to spread beauty around, in spite of our world being marred by the fall, how much more amazing will be the new heaven and the new earth? A day is coming when this old world will be destroyed. “That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness”(2 Peter 3:13). That which has marred our world— sin, pollution, war, thoughtless progress— will be purged from the new universe God will create. Beauty will shine forth without being diminished.

According to Scripture, the most beautiful element of all, besides God, is the beauty of holiness. “Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness”(Psalm 29:2). And so, as we look forward to heaven, and ultimately a renewed earth, we can prepare ourselves by donning the qualities of a holy life so that we may worship God acceptably. (See Gal. 5:22,23) Without holiness we are unable to fully recognize the beauty of God reflected in His creation.

Since He is the source of all this beauty, we should not be surprised when we read in the Scriptures that His God-followers long “to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord”(Psalm 27:4). They recognized, as we should, that God Himself must be beautiful beyond measure. Daniel, Ezekiel, and John, among others, caught glimpses of God’s splendor that left them stunned and speechless.

The beauty spread out around us should inspire us to give glory and praise to the Creator, and move us to don the robes of holiness He provides through His Son. We should also look forward to the beauties of heaven.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shelter From Storms

Wisely, birds build their nests in sheltered places. Our robins build their nests either on the timbers beneath our deck or on a gable sheltered by our roof. Wrens chose to build theirs in a dense tangle of vines beneath an overhang on house.

Birds prepare for the eventuality of storms. Terrible storms—hurricanes, tornadoes, and torrential rains—have battered much of the world this year. Nothing could prepare Toronto this past weekend for the historic torrents of rain that flooded the whole city. But we can learn from storms. When Hurricane Hazel blasted Ontario in 1954 and flooded the Humber River valley, 81 people lost their lives and there was 137 million dollars in property damage. As a result municipalities on river valleys in Ontario passed legislation banning the building of homes on most river valleys and flood plains.

Experience tells us that it is foolish to build on a flood plain, or as Jesus warned, on sand. It is just as foolish to be unprepared for the emotional and spiritual storms that will inevitably batter our lives.

Our friends or family may become for us the help and encouragement we need during times of trial or pain. And when friends and family need us, we should provide the same support to them. We should also express concern and offer practical help to suffering neighbours.

But in a fallen world where selfishness reigns, where misunderstandings abound, and where most seem oblivious to the pain we feel inside, there is one place where we can always find shelter. The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune may fly all around us. We may be tested and tried beyond our limits. No one may hear our silent cry for help—but One Person. But that One is always attentive to our cries.

The book of Psalms abundantly testifies to that reality. “Blessed are all who take refuge in him [the Son]” (Psalm 2:12). “O Lord my God, I take refuge in you”(Psalm 7:1). “The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble”(Psalm 8:9). “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold”(Psalm 18:2). Ira Sankey put this truth to music;

The Lord’s our Rock, in Him we hide,
A shelter in the time of storm;
Secure whatever ill betide,
A shelter in the time of storm.

Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land…a shelter in the time of storm.

Do we find ourselves assailed by storms of pain or doubt, discouragement or worry? Let’s find refuge in the arms of Jesus.

Cardinals and the Big Picture

The other morning I heard a pair of cardinals whistling to each other. Not only is their red plumage distinctive but so is their song which I’ve sought to mimic ever since childhood. Also unique is the perch from which they warble. In my experience, cardinals always sing from the highest braches of tall trees. Why? I don’t know. Perhaps they enjoy having a panoramic view of the landscape below.
Cardinals can teach us a lesson about perspective. Last Sunday a missionary friend talked about the importance of keeping the big picture in view. He recalled the incredible vista he and his wife enjoyed when they journeyed to an overview at 10,000 feet up in the Alps. He then turned to Luke 24 where Jesus gives his disciples an overview of his mission. “Everything must be fulfilled…The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations” (Luke 24:44,46,47). Not for the first time Jesus reminded his disciples that everything in the Bible will be fulfilled, including his promise that the Gospel would be preached throughout the world.
We need to keep the big picture in mind as we seek to serve Christ Jesus in a world of suffering and injustice. Whatever the setbacks we face, we can be assured that Christ will build his kingdom, the Gospel will spread everywhere, hellish gates will not prevail against it. He will come again. There will be a day of judgment. A new heaven and a new earth will appear.
We would be wise to frequently dip into the big-picture portions of Scripture: Genesis 1,2, Exodus 20, Matthew 5-7 & 28, Romans 8, Ephesians 1, Colossian 1, Revelation…and many more.
Currently we live just a few miles from the shore of Lake Ontario but our house is nestled in a grove of mature trees. We can’t see the lake from our living room window but we know it’s there. The unfolding plan of God is just as real and certain as the existence of Lake Ontario. But we need to keep it in mind lest we lose perspective.