Romans 8:18-27 Go grab your Bible and read this passage. I know you've got a Bible stashed away somewhere!
Here's a little peek: 22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
I've been doing way too much moaning and groaning recently. Youth class in Sunday School was great today, including three talkative boys. Miracle in itself, a talkative boy. :) And they aren't groaning today!
The focus was Celebrate Earth as a sacred plant filled with God's vibrant presence. Now, these kids are 'city' kids. They don't know much about Nature's Wilderness. Not Oregon, Montana, Wyoming and Colorado wilderness. Friends there know Nature's Wilderness.
My Sunday School class are urban kids. But they know wilderness in their own way- wilderness as dangerous as a Grizzly bear sometimes. Crime, drugs, harassment, sexual abuse, poverty, homelessness, starvation, etc. If they haven't personally experienced these horrors, they know someone who has. And miracle of miracles, they know about support, listening, caring.
We talked about humane societies: animal rescue, care of the oceans, our planet, being green. Some had seen the Oscar winning documentary, The Cove.
· I read the director of The Cove, Louie Psilhoyos' recent news: Off to Brussels today for one of the most important screenings of The Cove yet - for a requested viewing before the members of the European Parliament. Giving a voice to these creatures in the hallowed halls of humans - the word is getting out there. Thank you friends and supporters for helping push the evolution of our own species!
Have you witnessed Creation groaning, crying in pain? Have you seen renewal? Renewal is happening everywhere, it seems. Against all odds. Celebrate with me and my students the diversity, beauty and wonder of our lives, our planet. Do what you can to ease what pain you see there. And pray God to have hope.
"We are all called to assist the earth to heal her wounds and in the process heal our own - indeed, to embrace the whole creation in all its diversity, beauty, and wonder." --Wangari Maathai, 2004 Novel Peace Prize Laureate
A spider lives inside my head
ReplyDeleteWho weaves a strange and wondrous web
Of silken threads and silver strings
To catch all sorts of flying things,
Like crumbs of thought and bits of smiles
And specks of dried-up tears,
And dust of dreams that catch and cling
For years and years and years . . .
~~Shel Silverstein
Lovely, Bill. Such wisdom!
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