Seven Ancient Christian Practices for Connecting with God: #1
Anthony was 18 years old and sitting in a church service. The reader stood up and read the words of Jesus, ‘Go, sell all you have and give to the poor and come and follow me.’ (Matt. 19:21)
Anthony took the verse to heart, sold everything he had -including his books- and eventually ended up living in a cave deep in the Egyptian desert.
One day a visiting philosopher asked Anthony how such a learned man got along in the desert without any books.
Anthony replied, “ My book is the nature of created things, as often as I have a mind to read the words of God, it is at my hand.” Anthony the Great (AD 235-356)
Two Book Tradition
Anthony Is one of many Christians throughout history that has held the Two Book Tradition.
Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) described the tradition like this:
“Sacred Writings are bound in two volumes: that of creation and that of the Holy Scripture.”
In his letter to the Romans, Paul supports the tradition with these words:
“Since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities–God’s eternal power and divine nature– have been clearly seen, being understood from what God has made.” Romans 1:20
Paul is saying that we can see more of God when we pay attention to the things God made – creation.
When I walk in nature I feel like I am walking in God’s art museum. When I look at God’s artwork I feel like I can see a bit of the heart and mind of the artist.
To observe Anthony’s practice of reading God’s book of nature let’s race ahead 800+ years to use a reading tool designed by Guigo II (1100’s AD): Lectio Divina (Divine Reading)
I first used Lectio Divina to read God’s written word. It helped me soak in a passage and make new discoveries. Then I found that I could apply this same method to God’s created word.
Soul Sculpting Project: Lectio Divina with God’s Book of Nature
This project can be done in less than 5 minutes or for an extended time.
Four Steps for Lectio Divina:
- Read the Book of Nature: Pay attention to nature.
- Meditate: Think about, chew on, listen to, ponder the lessons.
- Pray: Tell God your thoughts.
- Rest/Enjoy: Just be there with God.
This week’s Lenten Practice:
Find some nature and do a Lectio Divina with the Book of Nature.
Nature I have used for my Lectio Divina:
- Taking a walk in woods, parks, beaches
- Spending time with a favorite plant
- Paying attention to the wind and air around me
- Sitting by streams or lakes
Q- If I can’t get out into nature can I just look at pictures or movie clips of nature?
A- Yes.
Tip for a good read:
When I read nature I try to use as many of my senses as I can. Look at it. Smell it. Listen to any sound. Feel the textures. Taste (if possible).
God Designed Us to Thrive in Nature
A few of the research findings on the benefits of spending time with God’s Book of Nature:
Body health
- Decreases heart rate
- Lowers blood pressure
- Lowers cortisol (hormone associated with stress)
- Lowers inflammation (associated with many diseases)
- Boosts immune system
- Reduces risk of death from cancer, lung disease, and kidney disease.
- Increases length of life
Due to findings about the significant health benefits of walking in forests, Japan now has 48 therapy trails. Their forest service trains rangers as public health workers.
Mind health
- Lowers anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues
- Increases ability to remember
- Increases creative problem solving
- Decreases depressive rumination
In Finland public health officials now recommend that citizens get 5 hours a month, minimum, in the woods, in order to stave off depression.
Even looking out of a window at nature will help us:
- Recover faster in hospitals
- Perform better in school
- Display less violent behavior
- Increase working memory
- Increase heart rate variability
Nature is God’s “Publik Library” Cotton Mather 1663-1728 AD
May we both discover new wonders and deepen our connection with God this week while reading at God’s Public Library.
You are invited to join with others doing these Lenten Projects on Facebook.
Soul Sculpting Group –Public https://www.facebook.com/groups/625822544108538
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