In Isaiah 24 we read these words
“The earth dries up and withers, the world languishes and withers, the exalted of the earth languish. The earth is defiled by its people; they have disobeyed the laws, violated the statutes and broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore a curse consumes the earth; its people bear their guilt.”
Now I have no idea what exactly Isaiah was talking about all those many years ago. Perhaps he was referring to the behaviour of the earth’s children at that time. Perhaps, as visionary and prophet he was speaking of what will happen when earth’s children ignore the call to care for creation. Regardless of its original intent, the words of the prophet are ones that speak to us in the 21st Century.
As humanity we have taken creation and it’s many gifts and resources and we have abused and exploited. As a result of our behaviour there is devastation. Geoffrey Duncan in “ writes
“How far have we strayed from the biblical command given to the first people to look after the land. The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it. The Hebrew words translated ‘till’ and ‘keep’ literally mean ‘to serve’ and ‘preserve’. We are certainly doing neither to the earth, at present, and the destruction continues.”
As those who are responsible for its devastation, we are also responsible for its return. And we have it within our power to change the course. Sometimes it feels very overwhelming when we look at the enormity of what is happening and many of us wonder “ what can I, as one person, really do to make a difference?”
The Reality
The reality is that we can do everything and it happens one person at a time. We each have the ability to determine how we will treat the earth. We each decide how we live our lives. Do we simply throw away everything on a whim and continue to fill the landfills with our garbage or do we reduce, reuse and recycle? Do we choose to drive vehicles that have lower emissions and less fuel consumption, and work to create alternate modes of transportation or do we simply keep going the way we are? If we have money to invest do we continue to invest in fossil fuel or do we invest in green energy? And the list goes on. We are responsible and we have the power.
William J Bausch in his book “A World of Stories” writes
The Power of One
One song can spark a moment
One flower can wake the dream
One tree can start a forest
One bird can herald spring
One smile begins a friendship,
One handclasp lifts a soul
One star can guide a ship at sea
One word can frame the goal
One vote can change a nation,
One sunbeam lights a room.
One candle wipes out darkness
One laugh will conquer gloom
One step must start each journey
One word must start each prayer
One hope will raise our spirits
One touch will show you care
One voice can speak with wisdom
One heart can know what’s true
One life can make the difference
You see, it’s up to you!
We start with our own homes, in our own backyards. We take that first step to start the journey that can lead to wholeness and a new creation!
We are Responsible!
Blessings
Valerie
© 2015 Rev. Valerie Peyton Kingsbury. All Rights Reserved.
Arrangement and Graphics by: Beulah Bouzane, BCI-Esolutions