It’s a wonderful time of year to wander in the garden in the early morning. Yesterday it was particularly still and, even early on the sun had a rich warmth. But what really struck me as I opened the back door was the smell. It was as if it had been waiting for me as a greeting, a gift, and it was glorious. As I went into the garden, I tried to identify exactly was it was – then I realised – it was a combination of all the roses, roses who had decided now was their great moment to reveal themselves and draw my attention to their colours and shapes – and their perfumes.
Stopping to look, consider and smell the roses made me look at other flowers. I became aware of shapes and went close to feel textures of leaves and petals. I noticed the ones still to come out and join the big event of Summer. In fact, the scent which had first greeted me that morning made me aware, made me see things and made me realise how beautiful God’s creation is and how he longs for us to share and enjoy it as an expression of His love.
This is the work of the Spirit. In John 16 Jesus describes the Holy Spirit as the Comforter, the Counsellor, the Spirit of Truth, the one who reveals what He receives from the Father and the Son. One way of looking at this is to understand the Spirit as the one who shows us the “Godness” of the world around us, not just as it exists but in its potential. And the same is true of people – the Spirit opens our eyes to the potential that God sees in the people we meet.
I didn’t have to go into the garden yesterday morning. But the invitation was there and taking it gave me the chance to concentrate on God – not just what He had to say to me, but to experience Him through all my senses. The Spirit is the one who invites us to take time, to experience and know what God has prepared and could prepare if we only respond in loving awareness and obedience.
Prayer: Dear God, Father, Son and Spirit; thank you for the creation you have given us and reveal to us in its truth every day. Praise to you, Holy Spirit, for bring the whole creation, plants, creatures and people in all their potential to our attention. Tell us and show us how to work for “Godness” in this world. For your praise and glory. Amen