EASTER V
April 28, 2024
“From Heaven to Earth”
“When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?” (Psalm 8:3-4)
“The heavens are telling the glory of God, and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.” (Psalm 19:1)
“The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world and all who dwell therein.” (Psalm 24:1)
Whether we are in our own back yards, enjoying a scenic overlook fairly close to home, or viewing a unique, famous site of natural beauty, if we want to put our feelings into words, the writer of the Psalms has already done that for us. The beauty to be found in God’s creation is endless, from mountains to canyons, from forests to open prairie land, from enormous trees and bodies of water, to the morning dew bejeweling a spiderweb. As often as not, we’re probably better off not trying to come up with words — we can just take a breath, and let the experience take over our senses. It’s a marvelous feeling, as we’re nourished and strengthened by God’s beautiful creation.
A few years ago, my husband and I spent some time with our son at Lake Vermillion in northern Minnesota. It’s a beautiful area, and we enjoyed the lake, the wildlife, and the fresh, crisp air. One clear evening, in an open area, I saw the sky as I hadn’t seen it for a very long time — a very dark blue velvet, with sparkling grains of salt sprinkled thickly across every bit of the surface. The sizes varied, some were more twinkly than others, but oh, my goodness, what a sight! Tears sprang to my eyes, and I wished I could hold on to that moment forever.
Last Monday was Earth Day, and the week continued with events, reports, and a wide variety of environmentally-related projects and activities. When my children were in school, they were delighted to have special outdoor learning opportunities, especially with nice spring days arriving after an indoorsy winter. Most parents were told about (perhaps lectured on) a number of lessons learned, including recycling, avoiding behaviors that contribute to air, water, and soil pollution, and being responsible for our planet. Newly hatched environmentalists are enthusiastic and passionate, and I love how these lessons resonate with youngsters. It’s as though they’re hard-wired to care about their natural surroundings.
The creative power of God’s word is dramatically and poetically told in the first chapters of Genesis, and as we read the familiar phrases, each “day” of creation closes with “And God saw that it was good.” The Lutheran Study Bible provides a margin note, commenting that God evaluates the work of creation, implying an ongoing process. Used here, the word good doesn’t mean perfect, but carries a sense of purposefulness and beauty. All creation is a gift from God, to be treasured and cared for, even as our heavenly Father treasures and cares for us, his children. To nurture and protect our environment is an act of faith, a form of worship, as we show our gratitude for this amazing gift.
We thank you, Lord, for your gift of creation!
Your friend in Christ,
Mary Rogers