Simply Being Still /// Emma Landry

     Although I greatly enjoyed the eeriness of "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner," Wordsworth's
"Tintern Abbey" struck more of a chord with me because I can truly relate to the enjoyment of soaking up the beauty of nature. Though Wordsworth has some pantheistic leanings ("How oft, in spirit, have I turned to thee, o sylvan Wye"), his appreciation for nature can be viewed through a Christian perspective (l. 57-58). Wordsworth talks about the "deep seclusion" he experiences while enjoying isolated landscapes. The splendor of God's majesty can certainly be admired and immensely enjoyed as Wordsworth does. Instead of turning one's spirit to the river (wye), one can immerse himself or herself in the complexity of nature and learn lessons through time spent in it without praising the river itself. A common saying is that it is important to worship the Creator, not the creation. This can be a balancing act if one is not careful.

    Nature can definitely serve as an escape from worldliness and from the chaos of sin. Spending time there can also be beneficial because it can point the observer back to the Creator. He made the beautiful earth for the enjoyment of the humans placed there. It is natural for His creation to be "lover[s] of the meadows and the woods and mountains," but it is important to remember that these natural wonders serve as reminders of God's majesty. They are not majestic in themselves. Without God's good design, none of it could be possible. Though I do agree with Wordsworth's celebration of time alone in nature, I believe that Christians can take this one step further to make time in nature into treasured alone time with God. "The guide, [the] guardian of the heart" (l. 112) is actually the Holy Spirit. While nature does not truly teach lessons as Wordsworth asserts, God can teach lessons through it. Time spent savoring nature can help one recognize the still, small voice of God if he or she is open to hearing it (1 Kings 19:12).

I commented on Emma Dalgety's and Bug Olsen's posts.

Comments

  1. Emma Kate PattersonOctober 19, 2021 at 9:25 AM

    I think it is important that we stop to soak in where we’re at. All too often we get caught up in the business of life and forget to stop and enjoy it.

    ReplyDelete

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