Reflection - Nature and Faith
- John Scoble
- May 14
- 6 min read
Updated: Sep 18
I am on a retreat at Santa Teresa Spirituality Centre, Ormiston, Brisbane. I'm sitting in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel gazing out at the landscape on a cold and windy afternoon.
Out the floor-to-ceiling window of the Chapel.
I can see Moreton Bay and the vivid blue water. I can see the land between me and the water; it is a mixture of greens, yellows and browns. I also see the sky; it is overcast and a whitish grey. Here are the major building blocks of life on earth - water, land and the air that we breathe.
I begin to reflect on my life and my faith.
As I do so, I observe the very large gum tree that dominates the foreground of the picture before me. Its branches are being blown around by the very strong wind. And then, a metaphor forms in my mind.
The tree represents me.
Its strong roots keep it firmly anchored to the ground. Its roots signify my Christian faith, formed by dedicated parents, nourished by the Brigidine nuns and Christian Brothers who educated me, and enriched by the worshipping communities I joined. The trunk, wide and tall, represents the spiritual growth that I have experienced through family, career, volunteering, prayer and personal development.
The wind blows the branches of the tree around wildly.
I think of the wind as the external forces that have battered me down through the years - failed friendships, lost loved ones, personal disappointments and plans unfulfilled. Some of the branches are old and dead; they represent parts of my life which have ended or habits from which I have chosen to detach. Some branches are strong and healthy; they represent the parts of my life that continue to strongly nourish me, like my marriage, my children, my siblings, long-standing friendships and my interest in sports and reading. Some branches are young and fresh; they represent new friendships and new projects that I have started in recent years. They are full of promise.
I marvel at the strength and resilience of the tree.
It is sustained by the love of our Creator. It is nourished, as am I, by the rainwater and the nutrients of the land. It breathes oxygen into the sky and I welcome it with every breath.
Frequently, I return to that tree in my daily meditation sessions.
It is both a consolation and a source of gratitude.
Have you ever had a similar insight?
How does nature inform your faith?
FAQs: Reflection - Nature and Faith by John Scoble
What metaphor does the author use in “Nature and Faith” and what does it represent?
John Scoble uses the image of a tree: roots, trunk, branches. The roots represent Christian upbringing, foundational communities, and early formation. The trunk is spiritual growth through life experiences. The branches show what is alive (friendships, projects) and what is old or ending (habits left behind). This metaphor helps readers see how faith grounds, grows, and sometimes sheds what no longer serves. (Source: John Scoble, Reflection – Nature and Faith; A St Lucia Spirituality perspective)
How does nature inform the author’s faith in this reflection?
Scoble is on retreat in a chapel overlooking Moreton Bay. He watches land, water, sky, and a gum tree getting battered by wind. Nature becomes mirror and teacher. He sees how external forces reflect internal life: disappointments, losses, joys. He notes how love, rooted tradition, personal growth, gratitude and present relationships nourish faith just as soil, rain, and air nourish trees. Nature becomes a practice, not just a scenery. (Source: John Scoble, Reflection – Nature and Faith)
What role does resilience play in the author’s spiritual reflection?
Resilience shows up in the tree image. Some branches are strong, some weak. Even when battered, the tree stands - because of deep roots, consistent nourishment, and open sky. Scoble’s faith, too, endures in hardship (failed friendships, losses) because foundations built by family, worship, and community support sustain him. The reflection invites readers to see that faith isn’t about perfection but endurance with grace. (Source: John Scoble, Reflection – Nature and Faith; A St Lucia Spirituality perspective)
How does the reflection encourage readers to connect nature and their faith personally?
Scoble invites readers to notice: what trees, sky, wind, water, seasons teach us about spiritual life. He suggests daily meditation with nature images, gratitude for growth (ours and others), letting go of old habits (dead branches), and cherishing new projects and relationships. Many people say that spending time outside reduces stress and increases mindfulness (ScienceDaily, 2018). Those practices help faith feel lived and real, not abstract. (Source: ScienceDaily, 2018; A St Lucia Spirituality perspective)
Why is gratitude central in “Nature and Faith” as a spiritual practice?
Gratitude is what binds the metaphor together. Scoble describes marveling at rain, life, breath, landscapes. Gratitude roots faith in awareness. Research shows that gratitude practices improve wellbeing, reduce depression, enhance relationships (Psychology Today, 2019). In this reflection, gratitude becomes a spiritual anchor - a way to notice God’s presence in land, water, air and in daily life. (Source: Psychology Today, 2019; A St Lucia Spirituality perspective)
At St Lucia Spirituality we believe the journey is richer when it’s shared. If you’re seeking a place to explore questions, practice mindfulness, or simply belong to an inclusive spiritual community, we invite you to join us. From online discussion groups and meditation gatherings to our growing library of resources, there’s space here for every seeker. Step into the conversation, connect with others, and discover how community can nurture your spiritual growth.
About the Author - John Scoble
John's journey began in the heart of a traditional Roman Catholic family in Sydney, where he was raised with steadfast faith and reverence. Now residing in the serene surroundings of St Lucia, Brisbane, alongside his beloved wife, John finds solace and inspiration in the tranquil rhythms of life. With four adult children and a cherished grandchild also calling Brisbane home, John's family is his anchor, providing love, support, and a sense of belonging.
While spirituality has always been a cornerstone of his life, it was three transformative events in 2012, including a sacred pilgrimage to the Holy Lands, that ignited a profound shift in John's spiritual trajectory. Embracing retirement as an opportunity for deeper exploration, John immersed himself in extensive reading and soulful reflection.
Over the course of a decade, this journey of self-discovery has led John to reevaluate and transcend many of his traditional beliefs, embracing instead the timeless wisdom and cosmic perspective inherent in Christianity. Influenced by luminaries such as St. Francis of Assisi, St. Teresa of Avila, and Richard Rohr, John's spiritual evolution has been marked by a deepening resonance with the essential truths of his faith and a profound connection to the divine unfolding within and around him.
At St Lucia Spirituality we believe the journey is richer when it’s shared. If you’re seeking a place to explore questions, practice mindfulness, or simply belong to an inclusive spiritual community, we invite you to join us. From online discussion groups and meditation gatherings to our growing library of resources, there’s space here for every seeker. Step into the conversation, connect with others, and discover how community can nurture your spiritual growth.
About the Author - John Scoble
John's journey began in the heart of a traditional Roman Catholic family in Sydney, where he was raised with steadfast faith and reverence. Now residing in the serene surroundings of St Lucia, Brisbane, alongside his beloved wife, John finds solace and inspiration in the tranquil rhythms of life. With four adult children and a cherished grandchild also calling Brisbane home, John's family is his anchor, providing love, support, and a sense of belonging.
While spirituality has always been a cornerstone of his life, it was three transformative events in 2012, including a sacred pilgrimage to the Holy Lands, that ignited a profound shift in John's spiritual trajectory. Embracing retirement as an opportunity for deeper exploration, John immersed himself in extensive reading and soulful reflection.
Over the course of a decade, this journey of self-discovery has led John to reevaluate and transcend many of his traditional beliefs, embracing instead the timeless wisdom and cosmic perspective inherent in Christianity. Influenced by luminaries such as St. Francis of Assisi, St. Teresa of Avila, and Richard Rohr, John's spiritual evolution has been marked by a deepening resonance with the essential truths of his faith and a profound connection to the divine unfolding within and around him.
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