May the words of my mouth and the meditation of our hearts be pleasing to you, O Lord. Amen.
Today is Creation Sunday, the day, which marks the beginning of creation season. Environmental concerns and caring for the environment in general have become more and more popular in recent years. Perhaps it has also to do with the increased awareness that we are living in a non-expandable space with finite resources.
I am quite sure that many here at St. Ursula's would agree that these truly are important issues. Yet, there is a chance that at least some of us are wondering what all this has to do with our faith? Why do we speak about this in Church? Is it relevant at all from a Christian point of view?
Like with any other area of life, I believe, that we find the answer to these very legitimate questions when we diligently look into God's word.
Of course, we are not going to find much when we scan the bible for words like "nuclear waste" or "travel by plane" or "emissions" but most certainly, we will get more than just a vague feeling on how God feels about this issue.
So, that being said, let us focus on our reading...
Psalm Ch. 8 draws our attention to God, who is the creator of this world. The psalmist looks at the sky, the moon and the stars - the work of God's fingers - and marvels at His creation. At the same time, he cannot help but wonder why God is mindful of human beings. Why does God care so much? Why has He made human beings just a little lower than Himself? Why has He crowned humans with glory and honour? Why has He given them dominion, authority and power - over the works of his hands, e.g. over the birds, the animals, the fish, the plants?
The psalmist does not seem to have an answer to these questions. Much rather he just is content to conclude, that our Lord is sovereign – the supreme ruler. He concludes that his name is majestic in all the earth. Through these words we can feel the deep adoration and the heartfelt gratefulness this psalmist has for God.
When we go over this psalm a couple of times, we begin to realize that God's purpose for nature must be more than just to give us an easy life: There is more to the sun than giving us warmth. There is more to the moon and the stars than enabling us to fall asleep... An important function of nature is to give witness, not just to us sitting here at church but to all human beings, about God.
I happen to know many unbelievers. Though many of them say that they do not believe in God, most of them say that, when they look at nature, they believe that there must be an unseen force or an unknown power.
The apostle Paul touched upon this topic very quickly as he spoke about those who wickedly suppress the truth and continue to live ungodly lives and he said that they would be judged one day for their ignorance.
In Romans Ch.1 (v.19,20) the apostle Paul says this:
For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. Ever since the creation of the world his eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been understood and seen through the things he has made. So they are without excuse.
I personally believe that nature does not just witness to us about God's existence but that it teaches us also many important things about his characteristics. As Christians, we want to become more and more like God. Hence, it is vital for us to emulate his way of thinking.
One of the characteristics we learn about God, when we look at nature is that he is lavish in his generosity. He gives great attention to detail when it comes to his creation. Just look at how many types of flowers, bugs, grass or birds we can find in a relatively small town or place – let alone in the entire world?
Did you know, for example, that even though all zebras in the world look alike there is not one zebra, which has the exact same pattern like another one?
Jesus too uses nature to point out how dear his creation is to God's heart. He speaks about the fact how beautiful God has made the lilies of the field even though their span of life is merely a breath. Lilies were often thrown into the oven by human beings without a second thought. Jesus also said that the life of ravens might not seem amazing to us but that God sustains them by his provision and good plans. On another occasion Jesus pointed out that even though two sparrows are sold for a penny not one of them falls to the ground outside of God's care.
This tells us, that even though humans often lack to show any care about nature and take it for granted that God places high value on even the tiniest parts of his creation and that he gives great attention to it.
As people of God who want to become more like Him, we too have the obligation to place high value and attention on God's creation. The fact that he has entrusted his creation into our hands, does not give us the right to use it any way we want.
Just picture for one moment, a great artist in your mind...
Someone who has painted an outstanding piece of work, e.g.:
Now picture this great artist giving his painting as a gift to someone. The person receiving the gift praises the artist because the painting is just amazing and a great piece of work! And now imagine this... In the very next second you see that same person who received this gift from the artist touch this painting with melted chocolate on his hands, walking with dirty shoes all over that painting and sticking his chewing gum on it. How would the artist feel? What does it say about the person receiving the painting as a gift?
I would conclude that the person receiving the gift has no regard nor respect for the great artist who poured in so much effort into his handiwork. As Christians and as a church serving the one true living God and Creator of this earth we strive to be different. Though there is not one word in the bible about keeping ones ecological footprint in check, there are plenty of passages and verses where God wants His people to take good care of what He has given them.
As we end today, I want to read some of them out loud and ask you to reflect upon them with an open heart ...
Exodus 23:5
When you see the donkey of one who hates you lying under its burden and you would hold back from setting it free, you (still) must help to set it free.
Exodus 23:10-11
For six years you shall sow your land and gather in its yield; but the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, so that the poor of your people may eat; and what they leave the wild animals may eat.
Deuteronomy 20:19
If you besiege a town for a long time, making war against it in order to take it, you must not destroy its trees by wielding an axe against them. Although you may take food from them, you must not cut them down.
Ezekiel 34:18
Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture, but must you tread down with your feet the rest of your pasture? When you drink of clear water, must you foul the rest with your feet?
Jeremiah 12:4
How long will the land mourn, and the grass of every field wither? For the wickedness of those who live in it the animals and the birds are swept away.
Proverbs 12:10
The righteous know the needs of their animals, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.
Job 12:7-10
But ask the animals, and they will teach you;
the birds of the air, and they will tell you;
ask the plants of the earth, and they will teach you;
and the fish of the sea will declare to you.
Who among all these does not know
that the hand of the Lord has done this?
In his hand is the life of every living thing
and the breath of every human being.
Let us close now, with a prayer...
Father, Lord,
Creator of all things seen and unseen
Thank you so much, for all your good gifts
And your fresh mercies every day
May we partner with you
To take good care of everything and everyone
Your loving hands have touched.
Amen.
Archana Jacob