Nature Preserves Heaven's Song

 During Holy Week, I took some time out in nature.  I often walk with Avery (my beagle) around the neighborhood, but the weather had been so perfect that I decided to go to a nature park (that I used to think was a nature preserve. . .) a few miles down the road.  I was determined to unplug, breathe deeply, and just soak up the beauty of the early Spring in the calm perfection of evening.  But as I walked through this trails canopied with trees, thoughts kept flooding my mind.  I was caught without a notebook since I had determined I wasn't going to journal, just take a long, refreshing walk.  Before long, I had to go into my notes app where many of my devotions and poems start.  All throughout the park, I saw what Paul describes in Romans - the invisible things of God clearly seen in the things He has made - "even His eternal power & Godhead" (Romans 1:20).  I was continually reminded of the anticipation of Resurrection Sunday and the hope of the Gospel message.  No matter what is happening around us, may we always see God's mercy and beauty all around us and be comforted in His character, love, and provision. 

Nature Preserves Heaven’s Song

Written by Emily F Steele, March 31, 2026

Peaceful forests with sun filtered through the trees

A sunlight golden as the butterfly that floats amongst the leaves 

The insects hum 

And mourning doves coo

And what’s that sudden rustling next to me and you?

Far off I hear the beep and roar of “progress” coming closer to your door

But for a moment the wind pushes and beckons me come walk upon the forest floor

Rest and gather beauty from its treasure store 

Rest beneath the swaying trees 

And feel the calming breeze 

Forget about the worry and the stress. 

Nature preserves heaven’s song & it sings it best 

First foretelling now proclaiming the work of the Son

Creation’s redemption has been won! 

The cardinal’s bright red hue 

Reminds me of the blood poured out for me and you 

The green branches bow low as during Your triumphal ascent 

And the trees remind me of the one under which You bent 

Purple blossoms flood the forest floor, like the royal garments flowing round your feet

Wafting the fragrance of mercy so sweet

The path before me curves and it’s not clear

What lies ahead for me 

But what I know is this - 

There is beauty all around me on into eternity 

Beauty that sings of a God that loves

Beauty that sings that He reigns above

A peace to calm the troubled heart

And reassure that in this gospel story, I play a part

Nature preserves the song it’s sung

Since the first of the locusts summer hum

From the first chirp of the creation’s songbird

A song rings out so humanity is assured

Nature preserves Heaven’s song

Shouting Your handiwork and calling us to belong

First foretelling now proclaiming the work of the Son

Creation’s redemption has been won! 

When at last You’ll make all new

And streets of gold come into view 

When death is conquered to come no more

And heaven’s praises we’ll join forevermore 

The New Creation will proclaim the work of the Son

Creation’s redemption has finally been won!