As I continue to ponder the issue of geocentric Holydays, this thought comes to mind: Perhaps we need saving more than the earth does, and perhaps - just perhaps the earth is part of that salvific plan.
Christianity is growing greener each day. Christians are considering their part in the ever growing story of planetary struggle of pollution, famine, dwindling resources and all. In all this growing interest to save our planet from a demise, we are in some way seeking to save ourselves, and future generations from a self-induced second coming.
Yet in our sensitivity to the earth's groanings (see Romans 8 on this), I am not sure we are really sensitive to the planet and the heart of its groanings.
There is a holiness to the earth. Its created beauty is God infused, and it carries clues to God's greatness, and wondrous love. Should we become sensitive to this voice of glory crying out in creation, I am sure that our care for creation will increase simply by the ever growing sense of wonder, and the need to protect that wonder. At the same time our ability to discover the voice of God in creation will transform us as we read His story in His handiwork. Perhaps if we could really read the clues of creation it might save us from foolish ways.
This brings me back to considering the need to celebrate Geocentric Holydays. Times like the Solstice become Thin Places calling us into deeper places with God.
11 comments:
Sounds good to me. I'm happy to meet folks from any tradition in those thin places. :)
BB
Mike
While I firmly believe that Christians should be caring for the earth because it is God’s glorious creation and it is also a way of demonstrating love for our neighbor (because preserving limited natural resources, keeping lands healthy enough to produce food for its population, providing clean water and air are really protecting the sanctity of human life), I agree with you that there is a deeper message in the groaning of all creations. Good post.
Hey Mike bro,
You already do meet people of all traditions in those thin places.
Tia Lynn,
Thanks. Hopefully we can create a group of people who can hear and interpret that voice.
Phil :-)
Sally :-) backatcha
I was in the forest products industry when I became a believer and thus immediately saw the parallels between how the forest grows and how we should be living if we were living in the image of our creator.
The forest eco-system is fascinating. Every form of flora and fauna is there to serve a greater purpose, which is the ultimate production of a mature stand of huge, magnificent trees. It's too deep of a subject for here, but the entire divine missional plan for mankind is clearly revealed in the life of the forest.
Yet, for the most part, we show utter disregard for proper management of the forest ecosystem, just as we show utter disregard for humanity in general. Therefore, as Paul says, "all creation groans waiting for the sons of God to be revealed." It's like God's creation clearly knows what it could be like if those who created in His image would only begin to act that way. I've always imagined creation groaning saying something like, "Come on guys, are you ever going to get it?"
Webb,
If you have written about this anywhere I'd love to see what you have to say. Otherwise I might have to make you a guest blogger here.
I used to speak on it years ago, but I don't have anything on my hard drive. I suppose I should write something up again. I'll see what I can do.
"There is a holiness to the earth. Its created beauty is God infused, and it carries clues to God's greatness, and wondrous love. Should we become sensitive to this voice of glory crying out in creation, I am sure that our care for creation will increase simply by the ever growing sense of wonder, and the need to protect that wonder."
I don't think I'd be wrong to say that Neo-Pagans discovered this same truth some time ago, and it is now at the heart of those religions...
Hey Redge,
Not wrong at all. We've a few things to relearn as Christians.
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