We talk all the time in Christian circles about God speaking through creation. But what if creation is God’s form of speech? Like us, God speaks–but God speaks in the words of earth, and wind, and fire. God is forever speaking the world into existence (Heb. 1:3) precisely because the world itself is his speech. Words we taste. Words we touch. Words we see, smell, and savor. As an author recalls images in our minds through his words, so God’s words are the images themselves–and thus, our words are a mere shadow of the fullness that is the speech of God. For God speaks in the language of created things.
Perhaps this is why Jesus, God-made-flesh, was God’s Final Word.
The Campus Calling 
AS kingfishers catch fire, dragonflies dráw fláme;
As tumbled over rim in roundy wells
Stones ring; like each tucked string tells, each hung bell’s
Bow swung finds tongue to fling out broad its name;
Each mortal thing does one thing and the same:
Deals out that being indoors each one dwells;
Selves—goes itself; myself it speaks and spells,
Crying Whát I do is me: for that I came.
Í say móre: the just man justices;
Kéeps gráce: thát keeps all his goings graces;
Acts in God’s eye what in God’s eye he is—
Chríst—for Christ plays in ten thousand places,
Lovely in limbs, and lovely in eyes not his
To the Father through the features of men’s faces.
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Amen! Thanks for reminding me of the beauty and truth of Hopkins’ poetry. I think his theory of Inscape has been one of the most formative concepts for me and my walk with God. So wonderful!
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It was the first thing I thought reading your lovely meditation. Christ IN all things, not just “out there.”
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Hey Nathan,
Your reflection on nature reminded me of Tim Keller’s sermon on creation/nature. I think his sermon flows nicely with some of the things you shared. Thought I would share the link if anyone was interested in hearing it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClRGMCnimgo
Thanks again for your thoughts!
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