Creation Care

I spend some of my time volunteering with the Christian Reformed Centre for Public Dialogue doing advocacy in creation care, and with this call comes some strange experiences. A few months back I had a discussion with a friend (who has no relationship to the church), and I mentioned my “hobby”. Though she was impressed with our efforts, she was also perplexed by my motivation. She explained that in her experience, Christian faith is fundamentally about human salvation, and that it is hard to see how this motivates change.

It is a primary belief of reformed Christians that God is at work in the world healing that which is broken and calling all Christians to participate in God’s redemption of the world.

Jesus in your name we pray, come and fill our hearts today.  Lord give us strength to live for you and glorify your name.  - Paul Baloche

God of uncovered secrets, God of fearless truth: to have faith in your goodness is to trust that after all we would hide is revealed, and all of our whispers are heard, your undying love will remain, and your truth will stand unchanged. May we forgo our protection of self, and find life made whole in shalom. - Corrymeela

So take all that I dream
Take all that I plan
You you hold all my days
There within Your hands

- Christy Nockels 

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, gardening is the biggest bang for your buck when it comes to creation care. With the whole world turning upside down because of COVID-19 many have become acutely aware of what gardeners have known for ages…  Gardening helps you join with God in providing for yourself, caring for creation and for your neighbour, reducing waste, staying healthy physically and mentally and provides endless metaphors for the spiritual life.

In Canada, we tend to mark the beginning of good weather with the May long weekend. The long weekend usually sparks visions of opening cottages with extended family, seeing friends, or the first warm weather festivals. In most Canadian provinces in 2020 however, we are still practicing strict social distancing and many of us did not enjoy our usual May long weekend.

Welcome to the Throne Room, welcome to the place where He shows His face. Oh, worship in spirit and in truth.  Welcome to the Throne Room.  - CeCe Winans

You keep track of all my sorrows.  You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. - Psalm 56:8

“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it” (Psalm 24:1).  As news of COVID-19 dominates not only our news cycles but also our hearts and minds, these words from the psalmist remind us of our continued trust in our Creator. With this in mind, we commemorate the 50th anniversary of Earth Day today with a renewed sense of hope, that indeed, our earth and creation will one day be restored and reconciled with our Creator.