And when they sat down to table, a bird alighted that moment on the prow of the ship, and made music sweet as an organ with its wings, beating them on the sides of the boat. Brendan perceived that it was telling something…
– The Life of Brendan of Clonfert
Go to the ant, you sluggard!
Consider her ways and be wise,
Which, having no captain,
Overseer or ruler,
Provides her supplies in the summer,
And gathers her food in the harvest.
– Proverbs 6.6-8
Learning from creation
It is the consistent witness of Scripture that the works of God in creation reveal things to us concerning God and His will. The proverbs of Solomon offer many examples of what we can learn in a general way from observing the works of the Lord. How we should provide for lean seasons, for example.
Scriptural examples of saints reading or discerning the will of God from His works in creation are few, but the teaching is clear that we can, at least to a certain extent. Indeed, we might see Jesus as an example of why we should learn to do this.
Especially can creation teach us about God—His majesty, wisdom, power, strength, sovereignty, goodness, shepherding care, and the like. To go too far beyond such general revelation is to enter the realm of speculation. Most theologians don’t look to creation for specific counsel, advice, or guidance, and in that I think they are wise.
But that creation speaks, and that it tells us about God in ways that mere words cannot, no one can deny. Our experience of salvation and of the knowledge of God can be greatly enriched by learning to listen to and observe creation as it tells the glory of God to us day by day.
Brendan: Creational Theologian
It stands to reason that the more one looks to creation to discover its secrets (Prov. 25.2), the better able one will be to help others do the same. And the more we study in the works of God in creation, gaining understanding and delight (Ps. 111.2), the more we will, as the hymn says, hear God speaking to us everywhere.
It’s not unlikely that Brendan was a good student of the creation and that he was skilled in discerning its messages. But our anonymous writer, for poetic purposes, goes too far at times. As when Brendan discerns, in the beating of a bird’s wings against the prow of his boat, where he and his crew should head next and how long they will be in that place. The readership of our writer’s day would have delighted in this bit of hyperbole. They would have assented to the premise behind it—God speaks through creation. And they would have enjoyed the vignette of Brendan discerning his company’s next steps by the beating wings of a bird.
Happily, we don’t have to rely on ants and birds to direct our steps. We have the Word of God and the Holy Spirit to guide us moment by moments. And we have the example of Jesus, Who walked a righteous path (1 Jn. 2.1-6), to serve as our North Star as we daily correct our course to lead us in becoming more like Him.
We can find many delightful, beautiful, good, useful, and true lessons from studying the works of God in creation. We should include some aspect of creational theology in our ongoing walk with the Lord—even if it’s just a few minutes of meditating on a flower, bird, or tree. If we persist, seeking the Lord as we do, He will show Himself to us. He won’t tell you what you should have for lunch tomorrow, however. And the creation cannot guide you in all the specific choices and activities you must engage each day. For that, we need the Word of God in Scripture.
Let creation speak to us of God. And in doing so, let it drive us to His Word where can learn more of His good and perfect will for our lives.
For Reflection
1. Do you have some “creational theology” in your life? Explain.
2. What is near to you of the creation that might be a starting point for growing in the knowledge of God?
Psalm 27.1-6
(St. Denio: Immortal, Invisible God Only Wise)
LORD, You are our Light and our Savior most dear!
You guard us with might; therefore, whom shall we fear?
Though evil surround us, our enemies fall;
no harm shall confound us when on You we call.
One thing we request but to dwell with You, LORD.
Your beauty to test and to think on Your Word.
In trouble You hide us secure in Your grace;
no foe may o’erride us: We sing of Your praise.
T. M. Moore
If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15).
If you’d like to see some other examples of the lives of Irish saints, download the PDF of our free book by that title by clicking here.
Other columns of interest this week: Our Read Moore podcast is concentrating on praying the psalms to seek revival—why we should and what we might expect. Our current ReVision series, “Pray for Your Church”, teaches us how to pray for the ministries of our church. Read recent installments in this series by clicking here. And new in our bookstore, our workbook, The Ongoing Work of Christ, shows us how the book of Acts provides a template and footprint for all who take up the work of building Jesus’ Church.
Thank you.
Many of you are faithful and generous in praying for and supporting Crosfigell and The Fellowship of Ailbe. Thank you. May I encourage all our readers to seek the Lord about becoming a supporter of The Fellowship of Ailbe? It’s easy to give to The Fellowship of Ailbe, and all gifts are, of course, tax-deductible. You can click here to donate online through credit card or PayPal or Anedot, or send your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, P. O. Box 8213, Essex, VT 05451.
All Psalms for singing from The Ailbe Psalter. Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
