In the early days of Christianity in these islands life was so very different to the one we live today. People walked everywhere, ran over ground more quickly, sailed to trade, lived in harsh environments, went hungry, died in childbirth, lived short lives and were linked to the land which sustained them. Time outside gives perspective, brains work better in the open air and the rhythm of the seasons prevents people from getting too stuck in behaviour patterns that overtake their lives.
A bad storm had consequences, a dry summer dried the water channels up and mankind’s ability to withstand extremes of weather was much less in some ways but the resilience was much higher.
The wonders of creation can lift spirits and amaze even the wisest of scientists. Its variety and interconnectedness shows a part of Gods character. He loves order and loves order that seems to be effortless. He programs the genetics of plants and animals alike to maintain the rhythm as ordained and its only when mankind gets in the way things can go awry. Time outside gives us perspective, brains work better in the open air, the rhythm of seasons prevents people getting too stuck in behaviour patterns that overtake their lives. Caring for creation in some format brings satisfaction and feelings of worth, an understanding of responsibility for things outside or ourselves, a way of connecting to life in all its fullness. For this reason Plain Church Celtic Community runs an outdoor therapy centre called God Unlimited Outdoor Therapy at its base on Salisbury Plain.