An invitation to beauty

It was reflected back to me recently by an avid reader of the Rural Ministries weekly reflections, that while these insightful musings are generally helpful and often inspiring, sometimes the odd one can be a wee bit on the lengthy side. I can imagine that sometimes my own contribution would be to blame for this observation.

In light of such comments, I shall endeavour to move in the opposite manner and offer a small, simple invitation…..

Spring is now here. If you’re reading this in the UK, I can only assume that you have been experiencing this recent spell of wonderful spring sunshine. In and around our countryside and coastlines, nature seems to have woken up with a start. Suddenly, it seems that colour has returned to our world after the blandness of winter shades. On any one of my many dog walks around my area, you can be certain that a passer-by will mention the weather and how much they were enjoying it. People have seemed genuinely happier as we have moved through the days, and the vibrant yellow gorse with a distinct ‘summer’ tempo in this warm brightness. It’s like the sun has arrived along with a Bob Marley soundtrack.

At the recent Northern Hub at Scargill House in Yorkshire, we spent a section of the day outside wondering the grounds. Birdsong filled the air and squirrels scurried around the leaves on the forest floor before climbing the trees; a deer was spooked by my presence and yet simply stood staring me down; butterflies gently ‘fluttered by’ before landing softly on wildflowers. I was meandering through nature’s wonderland. And my mind was at ease, at rest, not filled with the usual to-do lists and mounting pressure. It was blissful in that moment.

By the time you read this the clement weather may, or may not have, moved on, but I’d like to encourage you to simply get out in the fresh air regardless, breather deep, go slow into beauty. The human soul is made for beauty, made to receive it, to live in it and to offer it. It’s one of the wonderful ways we are made in the image of God. And spring is the season newness, for putting yourself in the way of beauty, to allow space for poetic and prophetic imagination to flourish.

Any further words from me will ultimately fail, they can never quite fully relay the full picture of beauty, it must be experienced and felt. So, stop reading now, put your task list aside and go outside. Walk around the garden, the neighbourhood park, the beach or up that mountain. If mobility is an issue for you, simply sit outside, breathe deep and whisper ‘God is here’. If you can’t leave the house, simply open your window and let the breeze flow in, look out the window and up to the sky and let the endless expanse before you pour into the endless expanse of your heart.

How is God meeting you this springtime?

What does it mean for you to slow down?

Where do you see beauty? In nature, poetry or music? Perhaps in the intricacy of wildflowers or the magnificence of mountain vistas? Or is it in the sacredness of silence and the quietening of your heart, when the world around you reverently ceases to make noise?

Journal what you see, what you hear, feel, taste, touch and experience. Craft a prayer or poem of thanksgiving. Rest in God’s embrace. You are the beloved. You deserve and were made for beauty.

Shalom.

Jon Timms

Director, Scotland and Northern England