“天上的飞鸟在水旁住宿,在树枝上啼叫。” – 诗 104:12
当你感觉生活混乱无序时,可以来观看受造之物,看看神所创造的一切是如此奇妙多样令人喜乐,这是一种奇妙的疗愈。在神美好的设计中,一切都有秩序和目的,我们对地球和地球上的生物了解得越多,我们就越能为它们的奇妙而欢欣喜悦。
如果你感觉心情不好或灰心丧气,可以尝试看一部关于火烈鸟、织布鸟、凤头鹦鹉或蜂鸟的自然纪录片。观看影片的时候,不妨想想基督起初就在那里,看着这一切,并为创造这个绚丽的地球生态而欢欣(西1:15-20)。
当我们思考神超凡卓绝的、井然有序的造物时,暂时停留在惊奇和敬畏中,也可以帮助我们接纳自己在事物中所处的位置。这也可以让我们感到踏实和安全,而不是被人类创造的时常冷漠无情的系统所抛弃。
默想神奇妙的作为——诸山、水流、鸟类、动物、昆虫和海洋生物,以及所有它们赖以生存的森林和草场也能引导我们去敬拜造物主。怀着对神的感恩,认识到这一切受造的辉煌,可以加深我们与神和祂所造世界的联系,让我们充满渴望,在赞美和敬拜中打开我们的心。
祷告
独行奇事的神啊,求你使我们注目你荣耀的作为,好叫我们更加认识你,也叫万民赞美你,尊崇你。奉耶稣的名,阿们。
诗篇 104:1-18
1我的心哪,你要称颂耶和华!耶和华我的神啊,你为至大!你以尊荣威严为衣服,
2披上亮光如披外袍;铺张穹苍如铺幔子,
3在水中立楼阁的栋梁;用云彩为车辇,藉着风的翅膀而行;
4以风为使者,以火焰为仆役。
5将地立在根基上,使地永不动摇。
6你用深水遮盖地面,犹如衣裳,诸水高过山岭。
7你的斥责一发,水便奔逃;你的雷声一发,水便奔流。
8诸山升上,诸谷沉下,归你为它所安定之地。
9你定了界限,使水不能过去,不再转回遮盖地面。
10耶和华使泉源涌在山谷,流在山间,
11使野地的走兽有水喝,野驴得解其渴。
12天上的飞鸟在水旁住宿,在树枝上啼叫。
13他从楼阁中浇灌山岭,因他作为的功效地就丰足。
14他使草生长给六畜吃,使菜蔬发长供给人用,使人从地里能得食物。
15又得酒能悦人心,得油能润人面,得粮能养人心。
16佳美的树木,就是黎巴嫩的香柏树,是耶和华所栽种的,都满了汁浆。
17雀鸟在其上搭窝,至于鹤,松树是它的房屋。
18高山为野山羊的住所,岩石为沙番的藏处。
Appreciating God’s Creation
“The birds of the sky nest by the waters; they sing among the branches.” – Psalm 104:12
When life feels chaotic and messy, it can be wonderfully therapeutic to look at creation and see how marvelously diverse and joyful God made it to be. There is order and purpose everywhere in God’s good design, and the more we learn about the earth and its creatures, the more we can celebrate how amazing it is.
If you’re feeling out of sorts or discouraged, try watching a nature documentary about flamingos or weaver birds, cockatoos or hummingbirds. When you do, consider that Christ was there in the beginning, overseeing everything and taking great delight in the creation of this magnificent planet (Colossians 1:15-20).
Spending time in wonder and awe as we consider God’s extraordinary, well-ordered creation can help us appreciate our place in the order of things too. This can also lead us to feeling grounded and secure rather than tossed about by the sometimes merciless systems created by humans.
Pondering the marvelous works of God—the mountains; the water cycle; the birds, animals, insects, and sea creatures; and all the forests and plants they depend upon—can also lead us to worship. Recognizing all of this splendor with gratitude to God can deepen our connections both to God and to his world, filling us with the desire to lift up our hearts in praise and adoration.
Prayer
God of wonders, draw our attention to your glorious works so that we might know you better, inviting all peoples to praise and honor you. In Jesus, Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳