I’m just back from a few days at Mystic, Connecticut, with the three generations of the Epperly family. One of the highpoints of our holiday was taking the grandchildren to the Aquarium and experiencing the wonder of sea lions, sharks, beluga whales, and cownose rays. We even got to touch a shark and some rays! Regardless of one’s feelings about Aquariums and Zoos, they can inspire us to affirm the words of Louis Armstrong, “I say to myself what a wonderful world.”
The Bible is very worldly in orientation. Psalm 148 speaks of God’s revelation in snow flakes and wind, birds and sea creatures, and also in humankind. Psalm 150 proclaims, “Let everything that breathes praise God.” Everything, not just humans, can praise God. John 3:16 proclaims, “For God so loved the world (cosmos)” not just humankind (Anthropos). We love the creator by loving the creatures and by caring for this good earth.
On this Earth Day (April 22), let us celebrate God’s Good Earth. We have the vocation of being gardeners of creation, of bringing beauty to the earth, and we can do this in many ways each day:
- Conserving our resources, using less water, electricity, gasoline etc.
- Planting a milkweed plant to welcome butterflies to the world and the Cape. (We still have plenty of kits at church.)
- Use cloth rather than plastic or paper bags.
- Turn down your thermostat (if there are no health risks).
- Adjust your water heater down a degree or two.
- Recycle.
The Earth is God’s and the fullness thereof. (Psalm 24:1) Give thanks for this Good Earth and become a partner with God in healing the world.
Prayer: Open our eyes to beauty, O God, and help us become your companions in healing this Good Earth one act at a time. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Pastor Bruce