Disconnected
Taking advantage of the recent glorious weather, we visited two rural attractions. At Batsford Arboretum there was a marvellous variety of trees and new things were learned, and forgotten things were brought to mind (e.g. what causes leaves to change colour as summer moves towards autumn). A falconry demonstration at Mary Arden’s house saw the falconer displaying a barn owl. Apparently, this bird can hear the heartbeat of a mouse at 40 feet distance!
There is a danger that we can get so caught up in ‘how’ such wonderful things occur and exalt the science which observes, studies and explains the natural world, that we overlook the pressing question of ‘why’ such things are so.
In the Bible, we are told time and again that God is the author of creation. He created for his own good pleasure and the things he made were to bring him honour. An artist is honoured for a fine piece of art, a musician for a splendid composition and an architect for a magnificent building; how much more, the Bible reasons, should the creator of the giant redwood or the golden eagle be not only honoured but worshiped too.
Both the Old and New Testaments say that creation serves a further purpose. It speaks to us about the reality of God. This may make us uncomfortable because deep down we sense that, if God is for real, then we must be accountable to him in all areas of our lives. God clearly does not intend that we disconnect the created from the creator, glorying in the wonderful things around us whilst shrinking back from relating to the One who designed and made them all.
Christians believe God has a remedy for this disconnect; that the answer is Jesus, who reveals God even more perfectly than does creation. The author of creation steps into his own story (a bit like if Colin Dexter, while playing himself, was written into a Morse story). This is how it works: What is the character of God like? Look at Jesus – he’s just the same. What things please or displease God? Those which please and displease Jesus. Is God willing to help and forgive? Jesus is. May ordinary people like you and me come into relationship with God? We know that Jesus built relationships with ordinary people.
If a barn owl can hear the heartbeat of a mouse yards away, I believe God can hear the heart-cry of anyone who will acknowledge him and who doesn’t want to stay disconnected.