There is a poem I like written by Gerard Manley Hopkins in 1877. It is called God’s Grandeur. It begins by extolling the magnificence of the creation we experience and tells us that this is the grandeur of God. It then moves to the reality that humanity does not always respect the gift they have been given. “Generations have trod, have trod, have trod…” he says. It continues with, “the soil is bare now…” The description of the earth in this 19th century poem is bleak. The implication being that humanity has not cared for the great gift given to us in creation. 145 years later we continue to know how our impact on the earth is causing serious problems which we are trying to address.
When I feel overwhelmed with the reality of a spent creation, it helps to focus on the end of the poem. Here the author reminds us “for all this nature is never spent…” because there is something deeper and renewing if we stay focused on the continual creative energy of God. He calls this the “dearest freshest deep-down things.” If I pay attention, I can see this creative continuance by focusing on light and joy. It is where we focus our attention that leads us. Where do I feel renewed? Today, it was in a conversation with someone I have known for a long time. It was in the beauty of the trees that grace the green space here. It is when I can listen to another, or they listen to me. May each of us look for the beauty and joy in our life and community.
