Before beginning, on behalf of our Divinity community of faith, we extend our heartfelt sorrow to the family of the student who died at Valley Forge High School, and to all students, faculty, and others affected by the tragedy. We will take time during our upcoming weekend worships and healing services to better minister to those affected by that tragedy. In the meantime, we lift up our own humble prayers clinging to the Lord of the compassionate cross and restoring Resurrection.
Along the route I usually take to get to Divinity, is Lower Shaker Lake, seemingly (perhaps perfectly) located amidst so many day-to-day comings and goings for people getting to nearby schools or local shops or the following the road that will get you to hospitals and orchestra halls. It is by no means a massive body of water, and yet its own humble stillness and serenity almost begs the rest of us always-on-the-go-ers to take even a moment, to take it all in. Take in the beauty of life, of the earth, of the encompassing still-living Creation, all of which can be so easily taken for granted, because it’s not on our checklist to do so.
On this annual Earth Day, there remains this plea from God to not only stop and “smell the roses,” but renew a commitment to tend to the breath-taking natural world in whatever way is possible to do so amidst all the other matters of life that need tended to in the daily grind. And not only that, but be open to the possibility that the very Earth that is often left in our mortal background can be an actual holy source of needed inspiration to empower our living and serving and worshiping.
Now, some do faithfully walk the path around Lower Shaker Lake, while the rest of us just drive on by, maybe sneaking a peak over while sitting at a stop light. Through all the various forms of appreciation and awe-ing over, the still vital part of that portion in the natural ecosystem, has its own beautiful showcase of God’s presence. That no matter how much we just drive on by about our day-to-day living, no matter how much we take the Divine for granted, God will not stop being active in the background and the foreground, too. God will not stop from unleashing the breath-taking inspiration to give the hope needed to sustain us for whatever grind comes about.
It is one of those days that should not be kept to a single day, “for the beauty of the earth” should be marveled at all our days. Regardless, even if we do just pass by somedays, hopefully the Holy Spirit will find a way to nudge us to pause and awe over the next chance we have, because the natural world has its own wondrous Gospel to proclaim as well. And so I offer you this translation of Psalm 104 from The Rev. Christyn Koschmann (Martin Luther Lutheran Church, Lee’s Summit, MO). Thanks be to God “for the beauty of the earth!”
In Christ,
Pastor Brad
I am awestruck, Holy One
at this beautiful and boundless universe—
cultivated over eons with love and care.
Your creative intent envelopes the world like a cloak.
I see it shining in the heavens, hear it whispering in the winds,
feel it crackling in the fire.
For you energized the dust of the universe
— the galaxies, the stars, the planets, right
down to this jewel of an earth.
You are wrapped in light as with a garment.
You stretch out the heavens like a tent, you make the clouds your chariot,
you ride on the waves of the wind.
You make the winds your messengers, fire and flame your ministers.
You paint the earth with your holy spirit,
each stroke and color with purpose, place and song.
You put a restlessness in our hearts that leads us to seek you always.
Therefore, I will sing your songs all my days
and care for all you have created
and keep my heart ever open to your Love.
For various resources to honor and celebrate Earth Day from the ELCA, please visit:
https://www.ministrylinks.online/earth-day.html