No matter where you live, spring is a time of joy.

In my part of the world, shy white snowdrops are the first flowers to bloom in spring.

Crocuses, slightly bolder in colour with their yellows or purples, are the next to make an appearance.

The tulips take their time, first poking the tips of their leaves above the ground like a periscope, as if checking to see whether it’s safe to emerge. They then burst forth in bright, vivid colours, their blooms held aloft on tall stems like upright trumpets.

“The flowers are springing up, the season of singing birds has come, and the cooing of turtledoves fills the air.” (Song of Solomon 2:12)

After a long, colourless winter, it makes my heart sing to see the arrival of spring.

But do the flowers and trees themselves sing? And if they do, what is their song telling us?

Author Linda Brooks, in her 2018 book, “Orchestra In My Garden,” seems to share my sentiments about the spring season:

”Once the snow disappears and my garden starts to emerge from its slumber, I cannot jump up fast enough to catch the first light, to lose (and find) myself among kindred spirits and bend my ear to their voices. No, I am not deluded. I do understand that plants are not human and cannot speak, but no one can convince me that they do not sing.”

She’s right: plants do sing. But she’s perhaps missed who they’re singing to.

They sing to God.

Scripture tells us that nature sings in joy to its Creator:

“The wilderness pastures drip with dew,
    and the hills wrap themselves with joy.
The meadows are clothed with flocks of sheep,
    and the valleys are covered with grain.
They shout for joy;
    yes, they burst out in song!” (Psalm 65:12-13)

“The trees of the forest will sing for joy when they see the Lord, because he is coming to rule the world.” (1 Chronicles 16:33)

“Command the ocean to roar
    with all of its creatures
and the fields to rejoice
    with all of their crops.
Then every tree in the forest
    will sing joyful songs to the Lord.” (Psalm 96:12)

And what is nature’s song? It’s one of praise to God. The hymn “This Is My Father’s World” echoes what these Scriptures are telling us:

“This is my Father's world:
 The birds their carols raise,
 The morning light, the lily white,
 Declare their Maker's praise.”

So often we focus on the beauty of nature and the joy it gives us, without paying attention to what its beauty is pointing to: the majesty and creativity and power and magnificence of the One who created nature.

When we see the delicate elegance of a flower, or the impressive grandeur of a mountain range, or the splendour of a sunset, we shouldn’t stop at just appreciating the scenery. The beauty of nature should cause us to thank the God who created all of this wonder for us to enjoy.

These lyrics from “So Will I” by Hillsong Music put it so well:

“If the stars were made to worship, so will I
If the mountains bow in reverence, so will I
If the oceans roar Your greatness, so will I
For if everything exists to lift You high, so will I
If the wind goes where You send it, so will I
If the rocks cry out in silence, so will I
If the sum of all our praises still falls shy
Then we'll sing again a hundred billion times.”

If nature itself sings to God and praises Him, shouldn’t we?

© 2024 Lori J. Cartmell. All rights reserved.