As I write this, I am keenly aware that it is Earth Day. The earth—or at least the atmospheric portion of Earth—has been making its presence known today, in wind and rain and even snow—but now the sun is shining and I can hear birds outside the study window. It is an awesome time to think about God’s great gift of creation . . . and new creation.
Psalm 24 reminds us:
The earth is the LORD’s and all that is in it,
the world, and those who live in it;
for God has founded it on the seas,
and established it on the rivers.
It is easy to see new creation in the environment around us. Perhaps not as easy to see is the new creation that is within us. There is an environment that is our own self, soul, psyche, being—our “within” environment. It is as important to care for that environment as it is to cherish and maintain the earth. We face storms in our lives, too—wind, rain, ice, thaw, the falling and dying of leaves, the greening of newness in spring. We sometimes endure toxic dumping from others, pollution from sin, hatred, grief, guilt. We find old feuds, disappointments, and current fears and ailments littering our spirits.
As we remember that the earth is the Lord’s, let us remember that WE are the Lord’s, too. God has created us, sustains us with God’s Holy Spirit, and offers us every moment the possibility of new creation. God has promised that to us in Jesus Christ. Thanks be to God for eternal Spring!
No comments:
Post a Comment