A Reflection
In the time I've been taking to focus on my writing I have found myself drifting into poetry about God, my relationship with Him, or the calmness His creation brings. It is with this intentional focus that I have recently contemplated inspiration. Drawing from nature is a major source of inspiration for many who desire to write about our Creator, especially when constructing poetry. Some may say they find themselves closer to God when surrounded by trees, facing the ocean, upon a mountaintop, and many other ways we can surround ourselves in nature. Some may say they can commune with God anywhere. Without trying to over-generalize the very true statement that "God is all around us." I wish to focus on why we use His creation as a way to "feel closer".
I believe that yes, God is ever present. He surrounds us constantly with His Holy Spirit. So inspiration should be easy, right? I view connection with God in regards to invoking inspiration to write, to being on a phone call. While He can hear us perfectly, if we have the volume down on our end we may find it hard to hear His voice and draw inspiration for what we want to say. I say this to mean that, to some, being close to nature "turns the volume up" and these writers are able to find the inspiration they need to write what they have on their heart and minds. Does this mean being alone amongst nature is the best way to "turn the volume up"? Not necessarily. Like how all art is subjective, so is it's inspiration. I personally feel that I can "turn the volume up", while deep within a city as much as I can by being in an open glade.
This ability boils down to the exact same thought process I use to find inspiration in nature. Being surrounded by the beauty of nature "turns up the volume" for me because I am being surrounded by the masterpiece of creation. However, aren't we humans also creations of God? Is what we accomplish and build a glorious reflection of His masterful skill? We went from stacking rocks in caves, to building towering artwork that forms skylines. Within the concrete jungle, we defy gravity. We build massively intricate transportation systems. The innovation we amass there is, to me, a massive demonstration of God's glory. While what we as humanity create is enough to draw inspiration from, we also showcase diversity in a way that is unparalleled. So in addition to what people create, people themselves are to me a premiere way to demonstrate God’s divine inspiration.
When I look into the eyes of a stranger waiting at a bus stop, I see God. I see His handiwork I see a soul whom He'd die for, literally. The smile of the person who hands me my coffee in a cafe demonstrates God's love, however authentic it is. Even the hurried businessperson, late for meeting who pushes past me on the sidewalk is a way I can draw inspiration to write about God's creation. Because His handiwork, to me, is almost entirely best showcased in the diversity, ingenuity, generosity, creativity, and absolute beauty of Humanity.
Nature is good too though.