Frothy whitecaps, glimmering stars and colossal peaks are just a few of the countless wonders on display in God’s creation. Nearly 400 years ago, a seventeenth century Anglican cleric, theologian and poet named Thomas Traherne observed such beauty and responded with awe, eloquently describing the splendor of the natural world and the majesty of the Creator in the first book of his work Centuries of Meditation.
Throughout this book, Traherne serves as a guide to modern readers, teaching that seeing the beauty of nature should inspire us to respond in praise to God. He repeatedly calls readers to “enjoy the world” God made, and, in doing so, strengthen their faith in God’s power and providence.
Traherne further emphasizes that believers should not stop at celebrating God’s creation; rather, that gladness felt upon seeing what God has made should lead to a deeper desire to honor God himself. Centuries of Meditation challenges Christians to joyfully observe nature and respond with praise.
Enjoying the World
In the opening pages of Centuries of Meditation, Traherne encourages Christians to cherish creation and delight in God’s goodness as the Maker.
He begins, “Your enjoyment of the world is never right, till you so esteem it, that everything in it is more your treasure than a King’s exchequer full of gold and silver. Can you take too much joy in your Father’s works?”
All of a royal’s worldly possessions of gold and silver pale in comparison to the gifts God gives us in nature, yet Traherne suggests we do not rejoice in these riches as we should. It is significant that Traherne does not call readers to merely “endure the world” or “exist in the world.” Rather, he invites us to “enjoy the world” that God created, as it so clearly points to him.
Since God’s craftsmanship is evident in his works, Traherne invites Christians to joyfully explore, examine and esteem the intricate marvels of nature. He echoes Paul’s message that God’s “invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made” (Rom. 1:20).
When gazing upon creation so many centuries ago, King David wrote that “the heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands” (Psalm 19:1). Like David, we have the privilege of surveying the night sky and turning to God in praise. Traherne challenges readers to slow down, gaze upon God’s handiwork and take delight in what he created.
Praising the Creator
After intentionally and joyfully beholding God’s magnificent creation, Traherne encourages believers to respond with praise. The beauty of the Father’s works ought to lead to an outpouring of joy, Traherne explains, and anyone who beholds such splendor should take pleasure in contemplating evidence of God’s goodness as the Creator.
“Your enjoyment of the world is never right,” Traherne stresses, “till every morning you awake in Heaven, see yourself in your Father’s Palace and look upon the skies, the earth and the air as celestial joys, having such a reverend esteem of all.” Recognizing these “celestial joys” as gifts from God, the Creator, should spark a desire to extol the benevolent King who has freely lavished these blessings on us.
When observing these “celestial joys” so many centuries ago, King David wrote, “Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens” (Ps. 8:1). Traherne encourages readers to exalt God for the bountiful gifts he has given—the sky, earth and air—and consider them to be blessings which display God’s glory.
Traherne emphasizes that believers will never properly delight in the world until they worship the One who made it. Observing creation should inspire believers to rejoice and delight in God himself, the author of the beauty on display in the visible world. When we understand that nature reveals God’s power, providence and goodness, we praise him as a benevolent Creator.
Reflection & Response
Traherne’s delight in the natural world and reverence for the God who made it challenges believers to examine how a similar attention to creation could strengthen their relationship with the Lord. While contemplating Centuries of Meditation, there are two key questions that can guide us to a deeper reflection on God’s word and his world.
How often do we take time to observe the created world around us? Evaluating the time we spend observing creation is a way to determine how we could open our eyes to the beauty of nature more often. Honoring God and appreciating his creation should compel us to slow down, take delight in what he has made and turn to him in thanksgiving.
How might our adoration of the Lord improve if we spent more time in his world? Upon reflecting on the diverse beauty of creation, our sense of awe and desire to praise God deepens. We can say, along with the psalmist, “How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures” (Ps. 104:24).
A deeper appreciation for the wonders of this majestic world should lead to a greater trust in God’s power and providence, as the one who wisely created nature also lovingly cares for and sustains it.
Footnotes
Thomas Traherne, Centuries (1960; reis,. Nevada; Angelico Press, 2023), 13.
