Reading the Second Book of God
Numerous times I’ve written about how nature is God’s “Second Book.” In addition to the Bible, Creation points us to and instructs us about God. Recently I’ve been reading a book that elaborates on how we can read this Second Book of God. It is called Forest Church: A Field Guide to a Spiritual Connection with Nature and was written by Bruce Stanley.
Stanley points to three ways of reading or understanding God in and through nature. One way is Awe. He says “Moments of Awe are perhaps the least formal encounters with the Divine in nature but also the most powerful and absorbing.” If you have spent any significant time in nature you have likely experienced a moment of awe. Perhaps it happened while looking up at the stars on a clear night, observing a sunrise or sunset, staring at the vast ocean, or while taking in the view of a lofty mountain. Whatever it was, the experience caused you to feel awe and to sense the overwhelming power and presence of God. Stanley says we would likely have more experiences of Awe in nature if we would “go mindfully, open and present to the reality around” us. We would be wise, therefore, to slow down, physically and mentally, when outdoors. Living in the moment may very well lead us to far more experiences of awe than we are accustomed to.
The next way into reading the Second Book of God is identified as Study. Here one observes the world of nature and asks What?, How?, and Why? Stanley says “Study provides a more practical and cerebral way into nature connection.” As one puts forth an effort to learn more about Creation the door is opened for a closer connection with the Creator. Study will lead you to a greater appreciation of nature but also even more experiences of Awe. There are limitless areas of nature that might be studied. Pursue those that most interest you. There are many resources available today to help us study nature. Make sure to take advantage of them.
The third way into reading the Second Book of God is Meaning. Stanley says “Meaning is about searching for insight and relevance.” Here one looks at various aspects of nature and asks, “What does this mean?” This is “the most challenging of the three areas, as it requires both discernment and creativity.” Here we strive to discover what God might be telling us about the world around us, or what nature might be telling us about God. This kind of communication can happen in one of two ways: it may be initiated by God or it might be initiated by us.
Stanley says “when you put these three together practically and imagine moving from one to another, you will see between them other elements familiar in spiritual practice.” He goes on to say “When captured by a transcendent, awe-inspiring moment, you might ask yourself what it means and explore its depths, which can lead to a heart full of worship. Study can deepen and speed up our reading of the world so that we’re more often delighted and more often captured by Awe. Between Study and Meaning, moving between an analytical and a more philosophical mind, great leaps of creativity and insight can occur.”
Two later chapters in Forest Church go on to offer practical activities that might be utilized in groups or by individuals to help incorporate the three ways of reading God’s Second Book into one’s life. If you are interested in learning more about how to do this, you might want to purchase a copy of the book.
I hope you will continue to give thought to how you might read God’s Second Book. I am convinced that God truly can be experienced in nature and that the Creator has much to teach us through Creation. If you would be willing to share with me your own experiences in this area I’d love to hear from you.
–Chuck