Articles
Still Waters
R E F L E C T I O N S
Thoughts on nature and the Christian faith
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“He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me
beside still waters. He restores my soul." - Ps. 23:1-2
There is a lake in West Virginia I love to frequent in the fall. If I arrive early in the morning the fall colors of the trees that surround the lake are reflected in the calm still waters. Since I am usually the only one on this particular section of the lake at this time of day, I am often free to take my time, to rest, to contemplate, and eventually to worship. God, of course, is everywhere but I seem to really sense his presence in nature. The calmness of the water and the reflections of the colorful trees always produce within me an internal serenity that puts life into proper perspective. The world can be a chaotic mess. But not here. The divisiveness of politics can tend to produce in me stress that drags me down. But not here. And at times even the church can appear to produce more division than unity. But not here. I used to think it was all my idea to retreat to places like this, but now I believe it is God who leads me here. He knows what I need and when I need it. And so, if you were to observe me as I photograph in places like this, you might be surprised at how much time I spend not doing photography, but just watching. God has given the church many things to point us away from ourselves and toward him. Baptism is one such pointer, as is the Lord's Supper, or communal singing, but at least for me, nature in all its beauty and diversity is what most often points me to my Lord. At this lake early in the mornings I see not just the reflections of nature, but the reflection of One who created all that is right and beautiful in the world. Not all places of worship are made by the hands of man. The best ones are made by God himself for folk like me. He leads me beside still waters, and he restores my soul. - John
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