God and Nature Summer 2020
the squirrel |
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By Judith Nierman
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. (Romans 5:3-5)
Like everyone else these days, I’m spending most of my time at home. This means I’m looking out the window a lot. I watch the squirrel eating the birdseed in my backyard. As soon as the greedy beast notices that the seed is there, he rushes over to gobble it down. It makes no difference to him if other hungry squirrels want a bite too. And as for the hungry birds, forget it. The squirrel thinks only of his own stomach. But he is doing what comes naturally.
I wonder if Adam and Eve were like this in Eden—that is, taking what they wanted with no thought of any other creature? I think it is likely that Adam and Eve became fully human when they exited Eden through a passage that was not reversible. They entered into the human world of temptation, greed, hunger, loneliness, suffering, sickness, and death—but also joy, love, hope, grace, and salvation. Being fully human and living not only in the natural world of the squirrel but also in the world of character, values, ethics, morals, and love means not thinking only about your own stomach but being aware of how others are faring.
The apostle Paul tells us that trials can lead to growth of character. I am also often reminded of the first line of Rick Warren’s book The Purpose-Driven Life, which many in our church read a few years ago. It says, “It’s not about you.” Those words are useful when we become enmeshed in our own troubles and situations as we surely are today. Warren goes on to discuss the building of character, a trait not associated with squirrels.
At the end of our time of trouble and fear, what will we have to show for it? Will we discover that, for us, it was a time of character-building? Maybe this is our time in a way we would not have chosen.
Prayer
God, we trust that you are good and do good. Teach us to be your faithful people in this time of global crisis. Help us to follow in the footsteps of our faithful shepherd, Jesus, who laid down his life for the sake of love. We glorify his name and pray that you will equip us with everything needed for doing your will.
Judith Nierman was born in California and holds a BA in English from the University of California at Irvine. She also holds an MA in English from the University of Maryland. She is the author of two academic books on American writers and worked for 30 years as an editor and writer, first for a natural history organization and then for the federal government.
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. (Romans 5:3-5)
Like everyone else these days, I’m spending most of my time at home. This means I’m looking out the window a lot. I watch the squirrel eating the birdseed in my backyard. As soon as the greedy beast notices that the seed is there, he rushes over to gobble it down. It makes no difference to him if other hungry squirrels want a bite too. And as for the hungry birds, forget it. The squirrel thinks only of his own stomach. But he is doing what comes naturally.
I wonder if Adam and Eve were like this in Eden—that is, taking what they wanted with no thought of any other creature? I think it is likely that Adam and Eve became fully human when they exited Eden through a passage that was not reversible. They entered into the human world of temptation, greed, hunger, loneliness, suffering, sickness, and death—but also joy, love, hope, grace, and salvation. Being fully human and living not only in the natural world of the squirrel but also in the world of character, values, ethics, morals, and love means not thinking only about your own stomach but being aware of how others are faring.
The apostle Paul tells us that trials can lead to growth of character. I am also often reminded of the first line of Rick Warren’s book The Purpose-Driven Life, which many in our church read a few years ago. It says, “It’s not about you.” Those words are useful when we become enmeshed in our own troubles and situations as we surely are today. Warren goes on to discuss the building of character, a trait not associated with squirrels.
At the end of our time of trouble and fear, what will we have to show for it? Will we discover that, for us, it was a time of character-building? Maybe this is our time in a way we would not have chosen.
Prayer
God, we trust that you are good and do good. Teach us to be your faithful people in this time of global crisis. Help us to follow in the footsteps of our faithful shepherd, Jesus, who laid down his life for the sake of love. We glorify his name and pray that you will equip us with everything needed for doing your will.
Judith Nierman was born in California and holds a BA in English from the University of California at Irvine. She also holds an MA in English from the University of Maryland. She is the author of two academic books on American writers and worked for 30 years as an editor and writer, first for a natural history organization and then for the federal government.