Is it Nature or Creation?

I suppose it’s really not that big of a deal, whether we use the word “Nature” or “Creation” to describe the material world around us. It’s not a deal breaker. Perhaps not even a distinction worth discussing. My friend David Kline titled one of his books Scratching the Woodchuck: Nature on an Amish Farm. Why am I even thinking about this? I was talking with a good friend just this morning. He referred to my connection with “nature” as significant. It struck me, I don’t think of it as a connection with “nature” but as a connection with “Creation”.

I had my oldest daughter look up the definition for nature in our dictionary. The pertinent definition of nature is simply, “the material universe”. The definition for “Creation,” on the other hand, connects “all created things” with “the act of creating: the bringing of the world into existence out of nothing.” The definition implies a “creator” and for me, consciously using the term “creation” is a confession of faith. It’s like proclaiming Psalm 19:1 “The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims His handiwork.”

“Creation” reminds me that I am not alone. I am reminded that there is order and a sovereign wisdom behind the “material world” that transcends what I can, at first glance, see and comprehend. I remember beginning to read Julius Reuschel’s book “Grass-fed Cattle” and having my eyes opened to the wonders of weeds. Reuschel writes about a system of raising cattle that pays attention to the way cattle were created to function in the beginning. Cattle are ruminants, meaning they have a unique ability to utilize the nutrients contained in plant material that animals without a “rumen” are unable to breakdown. When a cow is fed this sort of plant material, versus grain, it is not only more likely to experience greater health. This same cow will produce milk and meat that is significantly healthier for the human’s who consume it. It makes sense to me from a faith perspective. This is the glory and handiwork of God.

Reuschel goes on to talk about the variety of plants in a healthy pasture. I was fascinated to learn that there are plants that have the ability to increase or decrease the levels of particular nutrients in soil depending on the need. Certain plants have unique root acids that enable them to break down minerals that without this acid working remain unavailable to other plants. There are plants that have exceptionally deep root systems that enable it to tap into mineral resources that are out of reach for other plants. There are plants that have the ability, in cooperation with micro-organisms to pull nitrogen out of the air and fix it in the soil for use by other plants who need it. Often times these unique plants are identified as weeds(undesirable). And yet, when a cow grazes a pasture with a diverse population of plants that cow is much more likely to find the balance of nutrients they need for healthy development and production. I found in this book and the author’s description, a powerful illustration of the strength found in diversity and the wisdom found in creation.

The more I learn about God’s creation the more curious I get, the greater my sense of awe and wonder. I have become aware of how often I struggle against God’s will and wisdom, in both my relationship with fellow humans and with the whole of God’s creation. I don’t want to take the time and energy necessary to understand what all is going on. I jump to conclusions based on my own self interests. It is way to easy to reach for the herbicide to rid my green pasture of those pesky thistles. I don’t want to hear that it may have to do with my pasture management. By the way, I’ve found that my goats love thistle flowers, kind of like I enjoy good chocolate. This takes care of the reproduction problem, at least in my pasture. Anyways, the more I learn about creation, the deeper my faith and love for the Creator has grown. I’ve begun investing in books that provide descriptions of God’s creation. They may call themselves nature guides, but I read them as creation guides. I’ve got so much to learn.