Nest in the greatness

The Lord God . . . put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. — Genesis 2:15

In his historical novel Chesapeake, James Michener tells the story of multiple generations living near a marsh. One character, Chris Pflaum, is introduced as a restless 13-year-old sitting in class waiting for summer break. But when the teacher reads a poem by Sidney Lanier, the boy’s heart is stirred.

As the marsh-hen secretly builds

on the watery sod,

Behold I will build me a nest

on the greatness of God;

I will fly in the greatness of God

as the marsh-hen flies

In the freedom that fills all the space

’twixt the marsh and the skies.

When Chris grew up, this poem motivated him to work tirelessly to preserve the precious wetlands and the wildlife he loved.

The poem’s words stir the heart because they use nature as a springboard of praise to the Creator. But, unfortunately our living planet can be neglected and exploited. God’s mandate to Adam has been passed on to all believers. “The Lord God . . . put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it” (Gen. 2:15). The words tend and keep mean “to cultivate as servants. We are to care for and guard God’s creation as responsible stewards. — Dennis Fisher

The natural world that God has made

Must not be used at whim;

We serve as stewards of His earth.

Responsible to Him. — D. De Haan

READ: Genesis 2:1-15

To mistreat God’s creation is to offend the Creator.

The Bible in one year:

• Psalms 39-41