Trees, Breath of the Earth, Breath of the Creator

 1 Breathe on me, breath of God,

fill me with life anew,

that I may love what thou dost love,

and do what thou wouldst do.

                                 Voices United 382

Vala Afshar

@ValaAfshar

"Something to think about: The Earth is 4.6 billion years old. Let's scale that to 46 years.

We have been here for 4 hours. Our industrial revolution began 1 minute ago. In that time, we have destroyed 50% of the world's forests.

This is not sustainable."

I find joy and meaning in lots of newer hymns and choruses. At the same time I have deep appreciation for lots of the classics which resonate deep within. One of them is the 19th century hymn, Breathe on Me Breath of God by Edwin Hatch, a Church of England vicar.  It was described early on as both a Creation and a Pentecost hymn. 

Breathe on Me Breath of God came to mind when I read the tweet above and saw the image of a forest in the shape of human lungs. In this depiction a significant lobectomy has already taken place, which would reduce lung capacity. 

Needless to say, the Rev. Hatch was not writing his lyrics to address global deforestation, but surely the breath of the Creator through the respiration of trees is something we can't take for granted? If we have any qualms about considering trees as "divine," at least metaphorically so, we can just look to scripture where they are mentioned an astonishing number of times. Trees are literally a "breath of fresh air" and the biblical writers knew it. 

I do think it is an afront to the Creator that we are stifling the breath of the planet. Before the rabble arrives with torches to address any perceived heresy I'll stop writing, but I'll keep humming. 

Happy are those
    who do not follow the advice of the wicked
or take the path that sinners tread
    or sit in the seat of scoffers,
2 but their delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and on his law they meditate day and night.
3 They are like trees
    planted by streams of water,
which yield their fruit in its season,
    and their leaves do not wither.
In all that they do, they prosper.

                                 Psalm 1: 1-3 NRSV

                                                                    Tree of Life -- Blake Debassige