Streams of Mercy

In a recent edition of The Presbyterian Outlook, I came across a thought-provoking article, “Finding our Place in the Care of Creation,” by Jessica Hawkinson Dorow. Just where is the place that God intends for us?

“In the beginning, the book of Genesis tells us that God’s creation is good. Human beings are given responsibility over that good creation, in commands of having “dominion” and to “till and keep.” This stewardship of dominion and tilling does not permit a sort of “do what you want” kind of theology. Instead our place and relationship to creation is defined by the way were created. Created in God’s image (Genesis 1), our care for creation is to be modeled on the care that God has for creation; our care for creation must be always attentive to God’s creative goodness at work in the world, and our rootedness in the dust of creation itself.”

The parable of wheat and weeds is shared ( Matthew 13:24-30)

“We are appointed stewards of creation, and we are planted in God’s field. Always granted the capacity of good, nurturing wheat, we are also potential weed hazards. In an epoch defined by humanity’s imprint on the face of the planet, the risks of weediness are high. The science of ecology pulls the alarm and theology beckons over its sounding din. The reverberating tone of God’s goodness makes care for creation one of the most pressing issues of our time. It transcends borders and communities … wildfires on the West Coast of the Unites States impact communities threatened by the flames, but also contribute to the poor air quality and health of populations in the Midwest and on the East Coast. Rising waters around the world destroy homes on coastlines and small islands, but the cost of climate refugee resettlement has global reach. These are just some of the impacts of creation care (or lack thereof) on human beings, and the implications of failing to care for creation on diverse non-human ecosystems are countless.”

The thought of “finding our place” in earth care, is helpful as we think about what we can and should be doing as we face the challenges of changes to come. The author reminds us that God is in the world, creating and recreating and sustaining, and we are intended to be co-creators in every age.

I remember seeing “An Inconvenient Truth” years ago at the Sunrise Theatre in Southern Pines. This Oscar-winning 2006 documentary about the environment featured former presidential candidate Al Gore, who holds the film together as in front of an audience, and with few aids beyond photo slides, he explains how humans have messed up the planet. Gore issued an urgent warning on what must be done, and done quickly, to save the earth.

Fast forward 15 years, and I realize how little I’ve done to address the concerns presented. Hopefully, “finding my place in the care of creation” will move me to do what I can and encourage others to do the same.

Elizabeth