Why do we do some Sundays with God in creation?
What's that all about?
So friends, this Sunday November 30th is a 5th Sunday of a month, and I’m suggesting that on these 5th Sundays for our community “gathering” that each of gets outside and into creation as our way of being with God for that time1. I’ve been excited for this to be one of the rhythms of our community, that on these 5th Sundays NOT to gather together indoors at a set time but rather to encourage each other to take some time whenever it works for you to get outside into God’s cathedral of creation.
Why do this?
Gosh, there’s lots of reasons why, too many for one post. I feel like we’re at the beginning of a beautiful long journey as a community of being able to perceive and receive God revealed not just in Jesus and through Scripture, but also in God’s “First Book”, the book of nature.
So I just wrote about some of that here on my regular Substack. I specifically wrote it with us in mind and for us but then figured I’d let it loose a little further into the wild.
Take a moment, stop reading this community Substack, if you haven’t already go read “Learning the Language of Creation”, and then come back here.
Welcome back!
So this coming Sunday, one way or the other, whether alone or with family or with others in the community, this Sunday do try to get into nature meaningfully as a way to be with God, to be attentive to God, and be blessed by the revelation of God through what God has made. Use the comments below to let us know what you’re going to do or to reflect on your experience.
Wherever you go, here’s some questions to ponder while you are out:
What is one thing I learn about God? What is being revealed?
Or what is something I learn about Life? What wisdom is being offered through something I see?
What might God be whispering to me? Is there something to take away that doesn’t feel contrived?
And as much as anything, enjoy being in God’s creation as if receiving a gift, enjoy the simple beauty of it. Know that you are immersed in the love of God for you and all things.
I imagine that while I’m out walking that wooded trail Sunday afternoon, on at least a couple of occasions I’ll take some very deep breaths. I’ll recall that God’s name sounds like breathing, and that we are breathing with the trees.
Have a great Thanksgiving and a great Sunday! Bill for Wade, Tara, and Krista
There’s only two of these in 2026, we’ll figure out how to do this more regularly than that, at least once a quarter I’d hope