Lately I have been
watching a series of programmes called ‘Secrets of our Living Planet’ where the
presenter, Chris Packam shows and explains just how all of creation is
linked. It has been amazing to see how
the huge brazil nut tree depends on an orchid growing out of its branches. A particular species of bee lives solely off the orchid while the female of the species seeks out the nectar of the flower of the same brazil nut tree and so pollinates
it. When the fruit is ripe and falls to
the ground, a rodent picks it up and carries it about 200 yards away to
hide it and return to it later. Often the
hidden nuts are forgotten and so grow into new trees. In similar vein a gecko needs a giraffe and a
leaf cutter ant depends on a wolf. All
of creation is connected and interdependent in chains of action resulting in
ecosystems.
It was also brought to
our notice how a whole ecosystem can die and disappear because one small insect
or tiny creature is wiped out; such is the interdependence between the various
species. I quote the summing up
paragraph to one of the programmes:
The complex web of relationships that we’ve seen has
evolved over millions of years but I’ve learnt to see the real beauty in
nature. It’s not in the minute
detail. It’s in the bigger picture. Because this works perfectly, that is
beautiful.
God is in the detail and
it is all the tiny details and interactions that make up a bigger picture. So often we get bogged down in our own little
world of detail. Sometimes it is good
for us to take a step back and consider just what our particular activity is
connected to. When we ask God to help us
see things through His eyes, we are in effect asking to see the bigger picture
– beyond our own little space. We are
all connected and interdependent and just how God works all that out – now
that’s the beauty of God!
4 comments:
Absolutely Mavis. I love uncovering those interdependent webs of God's creation in ecosystems and life
It's a shame you can't watch it - I think you would love it.
i wonder if he'll do a book to go with the series. sounds wonderful. a speaker talked about how we are like a piece of sewing or tapestry - a whole mess of threads on one side but you turn it over and all the colours together make the picture; we need each other.
I don't know if there is a book out yet, maybe some time in the future but a DVD is due out 9th July and costs £13 at Amazon.
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