St John's Church, St John’s in the Vale

St John's Church, in the delightfully named St John’s in the Vale, was one of the few churches which remained open that chilly January morning upon which we called, despite it being one of the hardest to reach. Narrow approaches flanked by steep drops and coated in ice would have dissuaded many visitors to desist. The open doors made us feel welcome, though it is a plain church, one of those long, low Cumbrian barn-type structures, rather cold and dark within.

Much as I like plain worship in simple places, St John’s is dull and unexciting. Yet why should it make a greater effort to impress and excite, when the natural splendour of mighty Blencathra can be seen from its windows? The natural world is a temple to the Living God, an amazing testament to His power and wisdom:

That immense, snow-covered rock is a more eloquent witness to God’s greatness than anything man can build:

I will lift up my eyes to the hills—

From whence comes my help?

My help comes from the Lord,

Who made heaven and earth.

He will not allow your foot to be moved;

He who keeps you will not slumber. Psalm 121:1-3, New King James Version

Although one may find God in nature, one cannot find Christ, who is the way to actually knowing God as Father. For that, we must read the scriptures and seek Him with our hearts. Yet the natural world still ‘showeth His handiwork’:

Yes, God is good, all nature says,

By God's own hand with speech endued;

And man, in louder notes of praise,

Should sing for joy that God is good.

For all Thy gifts we bless Thee, Lord,

But chiefly for our heavenly food;

Thy pard'ning grace, Thy quick'ning word,

These prompt our song that God is good.

-John Gurney, 1851