Outward

By Rev. Joan Kessler

John 17:20 – 26

Fractal Patterns in Nature: https://youtu.be/Bcvr-spcw-k

This morning I am overlaying my message with some beautiful images for you all to consider. What you are seeing are pictures of fractals from nature. What is a fractal you may ask… well, the Fractal Foundation describes them as infinitely complex patterns that are self-similar across different scales and sizes. They are created by repeating a simple process over and over in an ongoing feedback loop. They are so incredibly common; they are found everywhere. Essentially, fractals are images of dynamic systems – they are pictures of chaos.

Nature loves to arrange itself in patterns in order to act efficiently. Nothing in creation happens without a reason, nothing to be wasted…all these beautiful patterns you are seeing have an important function and reason for their existence. Common examples of fractal patterns are found in snowflakes, the growth pattern of tree branching, lightning, and ferns. They shape our mountain ranges, coastlines. The next time you have a crown of broccoli in your refrigerator, take a closer look at the way each stem grows out from the stalk in the same precise way.