On another day, the blessed Brigit saw some ducks swimming on the water, occasionally taking wing, and being moved with affection for them, she commanded them to come to her. A great flock of them flew over to her on feathered wings with eager obedience to her words and showing no fear, as if they were used to people. She touched them with her hand and caressed them for a while, before allowing them to fly back into the sky. She praised the Creator of all things, to whom all creatures are subject, and for whom all things live.
– Cogitosus, The Life of St. Brigit the Virgin
The works of the LORD are great,
Studied by all who have pleasure in them.
His work is honorable and glorious,
And His righteousness endures forever.
He has made His wonderful works to be remembered:
The LORD is gracious and full of compassion.
– Psalm 111.2-4
Lover of creation
Like many of the leaders of the Celtic Revival, Brigit had a warm relationship with creation. Her delight in being among those ducks, petting and caressing them, having them bustle all around her, is palpable. We’ve all experienced this kind of interaction with creation, when we feel almost like it’s part of us or we’re part of the family of all created things.
Or maybe we’ve even sensed God, showing Himself to us in the things He has made.
Scripture is clear that God speaks to us from His works. He has set His glory in created things and, while most people cannot discern it, we who know Him can. And we should. God has “made His wonderful works to be remembered”, but we are not likely to remember them if we don’t take the time to engage with them, as Brigit did.
If we love God, we will love His creation. He made it, sustains it, has set His glory in it, and calls us to seek Him there. Who knows? We may become like docents in an art museum, enjoying a deep and delightful relationship with the works of the Lord and eager to talk about them with others. And the more we grow to love the creation, the more our love for God will increase as well.
Lover of the Creator
The creation beckons us to give thanks and praise to Him Who has made these works for us to study, enjoy, and remember. These are certainly ways to express and grow our love for our Creator.
Brigit was quick to praise God for the ducks and everything else that filled her mind with the wonder of God—the water, the sky, the surrounding fields and forests. All of it.
Creation reminds us of Jesus’ promise to be with us always. He Himself speaks into and throughout the creation all day long, holding it together and keeping its wonders ever fresh and new (Heb. 1.3). Knowing this—and remembering that all the works of creation are God’s works—we will never lack opportunities to express our love for God.
God Himself, speaking to us from His creation, encourages us in our prayers, like a father encouraging his child to walk—present, guiding, encouraging, coaxing, touching, showing, filling us with the wonder of new experiences. This is what God delights to do for us.
We need to slow down. We’re no busier than Brigit was, I’m sure. Yet she had time to enjoy a moment with God, delighting in His creation, loving and caring for all the creatures He has made, and giving Him abundant thanks and praise for the experience.
Invitations to see and enjoy the Lord, and to bless Him with praise, are all around us. Make good use of these gifts, brethren, and see how your love for God increases accordingly.
For Reflection
1. Where would you start in seeking the glory of God in created things?
2. How could you make this a more constant, everyday aspect of your walk with the Lord?
Psalm 111.3, 4
(Manoah: When All Your Mercies, O My God)
For Your work is full of splendor, LORD, and of majesty most pure;
Your righteousness, O glorious God, forever will endure!
You have caused Your many wondrous works to remain before our face.
For You are full of mercy, LORD, and abounding all in grace.
T. M. Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment to give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
Other columns of interest this week: In our ReVision series on “The Kingdom Economy” we are looking at the role of God’s Law in the life of the Church. In our Read Moore podcast we continue in our series of readings from three booklets on life in the Kingdom. And in the Scriptorium daily column, we are considering Ephesians 5 all this week. Click here to see all the other columns and writers available to you.
And please prayerfully consider supporting The Fellowship of Ailbe with your prayers and gifts. You can contribute online, via PayPal or Anedot, or by sending a gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, P. O. Box 8213, Essex, VT 05451.
Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. For sources of all quotations, see the weekly PDF of this study. All psalms for singing are from The Ailbe Psalter.
