Ever wonder why men get so excited about hunting? Oh, sure, there's the thrill of the hunt, the power of the gun or bow, the pride in the skill of the kill, the saga of the wounded animal, the taste of the roasted flesh. But the long hours sitting in the woods are, in themselves, sought for and cherished. And why do some people, at great personal risk and cost, climb mountains, ford rivers, explore caves? What keeps a woman for hours in the garden, pulling weeds from around the perennials? What is this insatiable drive to be part of nature?

We are all seeking a god to worship. The Bible tells us, "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard." Psalm 19:1-3. In more everyday English, we would say: The heavens declare God's glory and the skies reveal His ability as a craftsman. Day after day, night after night, the heavens speak to us, and reveal to us their wisdom. They don't use words, yet their voice is heard everywhere, and reaches to the ends of the earth. (This is my paraphrase of Psalm 19, verses 1-4a).

In verse 7, we are given the reason for our love of nature. "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul." In nature is revealed the law of God. That law converts, or turns, our soul around. The growth of plant life, the scope of crawling, creeping things, the magnificence of beauty in the smallest, as well as in the largest landscape--- all demonstrate God's law. We want to hear from God, and that's why we go "out there." In our own hearts we may feel envy, hatred, murder, lust, anger, covetousness, evil temper, revenge, the spirit of criticism. Some of us confess these feelings, some of us suppress them, some enact them. However we deal with them, there they are, afflicting our hearts. Yes, there is compassion, empathy, love, benevolence that we see there also, but these are as a breath of air that comes in from another room, a greater reality, another world. We realize they come in from outside ourselves, whereas the evil sentiments seem to be "who we are." So, this wretched humanity seeks an escape. It searches for the law of kindness, hopes to meet with the God of the real, rather than the artificial anxiety and perplexity that stalks us.

We see in nature deep lessons of divine truth. The teachings of Christ in God's word are repeated to us in the things of nature. Take, for instance, this basic fact from the book of nature: if you don't put the seed in the ground, and give it time to rot down, it will not grow anything. Christ said it this way: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit." John 12:24.

When we take time to be in nature, to examine its lessons, we feel surrounded with a holy influence. The things of nature take up the parables of Christ and repeat His counsels. By communion with God in nature, the mind is uplifted and the heart finds rest. "Thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not lie, thou shalt not commit adultery, thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain." These laws are revealed in nature. We see them expressed. We hear from God. Although the message is mixed (because of sin), and could be viewed as controversial, the meaning of nature is clear: Do this, and this will happen as a consequence. Do that, and something else happens as a consequence. Water runs down hill. New growth comes from decay. We must be strong to survive. We must get up if we fall. We must give if we want to get.

Laws govern nature. We seek law in our lives. We seek reality. We seek truth. Then, when we find it, will we acknowledge it? Will we give proper credit to its Creator? If we open our heart to the God who created nature, He will redirect our lives along paths of His choosing. Are we going to walk in the light we receive from the lessons of nature, or are we going to choose to retain our defective characters? Evil desires, revengeful passions, dark and sullen thoughts-are we going to cherish them until they have complete control over us? Or, will we surrender them to the Higher Power who seeks to give us rest from all our wickedness? "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek, and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." Matthew 11:28.

How is it with you, dear reader? God speaks to us daily through nature. Let's hear Him. Let's respond to Him, wholeheartedly. No mere theory of truth, no profession of discipleship will save us. We do not belong to Christ unless we are His wholly. It is by halfheartedness in the Christian life that we become feeble in purpose and changeable in desire. We must "…leave all, rise up, and follow Him."

Columnist Chris Hasse, 15 year resident of Calhoun County, will hold a series of Bible study meetings at Upper West Fork Community Park beginning April 25-May 10.