Ngataringa Park with Takarunga / Mt. Victoria in the background, Devonport
Consider the volcanoes that surround us. They may seem rather domestic when compared to the more imposing mountains of the central North Island, but be assured if something deep in the earth triggered a new volcanic event for the Auckland Isthmus, chaos would ensue. When the kids were smaller, we had quite a few goes on the eruption simulation at the Auckland Museum. The earthquake house at Te Papa in Wellington is equally thought provoking. I had my share of minor earthquakes living in Raetihi.
Humans like to be the authors of their own story. This is why I find the biblical concept of the fall so convincing. We quest for power and control since forever. Nature reminds us that we are not in control of everything. Sometimes we just have to gird ourselves and evacuate, run for the hills (or away from them perhaps?) when God's creation gets a little too exciting to cope with.
God is equally comfortable in the city or the wild. Personally, and for my whole life, I have felt most at home with communing with God in the forest or mountains. I come home refreshed. Yet I still appreciate a good cathedral with stained glass and the whole works, or a well designed house or pleasant garden.
We move between meeting God in the wild or in the city, both speak to us. But really, human creativity is but a shadow and a poor imitation of the majesty of the true creator. We attempt variations on graffiti-ed concrete, wood and stone, but Creator God is the true artist. Not everything needs human modification. That's why our unspoiled natural areas are so important as a reminder of who God is and who we are not. May you notice His handiwork this week. Shalom.
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