蜜芽传媒

A spiritual comment and prayer to start the day with Chine McDonald

Good morning

鈥淲ho trusted God was love indeed
And love Creation鈥檚 final law
Tho鈥� Nature, red in tooth and claw
With ravine, shriek鈥檇 against his creed鈥�

These immortal lines come from Alfred Lord Tennyson鈥檚 famous poem In Memoriam in which he reflects on the impact of scientific advancements and evolutionary theories in light of the tragic death of his friend Arthur Hallam, who died suddenly in 1833. The poem explores life and death and love and grief, and within all that, humanity鈥檚 relationship to God.

Like all of us who at times in our life will experience grief;鈥� the personal pain of the loss of a loved one leads us to ask bigger, more universal questions about the meaning of life. More than 30 years after the death of Tennyson鈥檚 friend, Charles Darwin would release his Origin of Species. Published just over 160 years ago, the book had widespread impact all over the world as Darwin put forward his theories of evolution and natural selection. Tennyson鈥檚 words 鈥榥ature, red in tooth and claw鈥� speak of the seeming mean-ness and brutality of nature; its capriciousness meaning that death and destruction can come at any time.

During my study of theology at university, complete with all the challenges that come with an intellectual wrestling with faith, I managed to hold the two ideas of science and faith in tension. I found comfort in the doubt 鈥� in handing over to a higher power and being satisfied in not knowing the answers. And yet clinging to the hope that all things will be made right in the end.

Creator God, who made each of us in your divine image, may we reflect the beauty, truth and hope that comes only from belief in you. Amen.