Nature’s Mystical Whisper: Finding Divine Presence in the World Around Us

Have you ever just read or watched the news from around the world? If so, you will know that in the words of the late Rich Homie Quan, it will “make you feel some type or way.” The headlines are full of chaos no matter where you turn. Locally, we are dealing with difference of opinions on the best way to move the country forward. We have headlines of horrific injustices towards humanity in every way imaginable. Internationally, we hear about the chaos of war and the threats of war.

Have we forgotten that the Divine Creator created humanity to take care of each other? Have we lost our way and decided that destruction and power have become our gods? In my blog post entitled, “Spirits of Chaos: The Violent Rituals of Destruction and Power”, I talked a little about this. Even though the headlines look bad everywhere we turn and it looks like the entire world had lost its mind, I am crazy enough to believe that there is still hope. There is still a beacon of light. There is still a remnant of prophetic voices who are encouraging us that there is some εὐαγγέλιον (euangelion), “Good News” for us to hear that will bring liberation, hope, and freedom.

You may ask why I believe this. The mystical practices of meditation and contemplation and sitting with nature helps to slow my mind and recenter my thoughts on how the Most High is interacting in this world in the mist of all of the noise from our chaos. 

The picture above is of KVP’s hermit crabs. They are some interesting animals. My wife bought me one as a “starter pet” when we were dating. The are easy to care for and they are funny little creatures. These tiny crustaceans will walk around their cages and change out their shells like we change our clothes. Sometimes when they sense the presence of a human, they will hide in those shells. However, according to the pet shop, these little animals are communal creatures. In this picture, you will see that even though they are called “Hermit Crabs”, some of them like to snug when it is time for bed. 

How is it that a tiny animal that lives by instinct seems to have more sense of togetherness than an intelligent spirit (given breath by the Divine Creator) that is infused in flesh that was created out of Creation? Have we allowed our worship of gods to make us forget who we are? I will continue to advise that nature can help us to reconnect to our divine spirit within us and remind us of Ubuntu. 

You know when ubuntu is there, and it is obvious when it is absent. It has to do with what it means to be truly human, to know that you are bound up with others in the bundle of life.

Bishop Desmond Tutu