Blessed by Beauty
Read Psalm 104:1-24
The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof.
-Psalm 24:1 (KJV)
I live in the beautiful city of Cape Town in South Africa. On my way home from dropping my children at school, I often go into a botanical garden situated on the slopes of Table Mountain. I spend half an hour walking, communing with God, before I start my day's work.
As I walk, I feel exhilarated by the fresh air, the sun on my face, and the rhythm of my body as I move. I am immersed in a feast for the senses: the glint of sunlight on water, the flash of red as a sunbird darts across my path, the rich scent of plants, and the calls of birds that fill the air. Towering against the brilliant blue of the sky is Table Mountain with its white tablecloth of cloud.
I walk nearly every day. If it's raining, I enjoy feeling the rain on my face, knowing that in our dry climate, water is life. I always return home feeling refreshed. My body is energized by the walk, my spirits are lifted, my hope is revived, and my heart rejoices in the beauty of the world God has given us. I am thankful for those who work to maintain this beautiful place and for the way God feeds my spirit through it. I am thankful for this and for all the ways God speaks to me.
Sally Argent (Cape Town, South Africa)
God, thank you for your gift of Earth, our beautiful home. Help us to honor your gift by taking care of it, preserving its beauty, managing its resources wisely, and taking time to enjoy it. Amen.
Appreciating the world God has given us is an act of worship.
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That those in power safeguard the earth
