Series Introduction
Tony Rinaudo, author of ‘The Forest Underground’, reflects: “As a boy, the trees, hills and mountain streams of northeast Victoria were my playground, but I was upset that the bushland was being bulldozed, agricultural chemicals were poisoning the water and fish in the streams. This environmental destruction was mirrored around the world. As Christians, we know that creation belongs to the one whom we call Lord. So, a question I asked myself was, ‘what is my responsibility towards creation as a Christian?’ This devotional series will look at what happens when God’s creation is mistreated, what it means to be good stewards of God’s creation, and the blessing Christians receive when relying on God to help us restore and live in harmony with the gift of his creation.”
Reflection: God delights in his creation
I wonder what was going through God’s mind at the time of creation? The ‘I’ in this passage is wisdom, talking in first person, where wisdom is a type or pre-figurement of Christ. In effect Jesus was delighting in mankind. He was rejoicing in his creation. In other passages (Job 38: 7) we read that at the time of creation the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy.
I have the very strong impression that this was no genteel English tea party, but was more akin to an end of footy season back slapping, foot stomping celebration of the power of God displayed in his creation.
When God sees the state of his creation today, how it is being treated, I wonder how he feels? I certainly don’t hear the stars singing or angels shouting for joy.
If the act of creation brought God such joy and was such a cause for celebration in heaven, what should my attitude and practices as a follower of Christ be today? Surely it should inform the choices that impact creation – over-consumption, our waste and pollution, what industries our investments support?
Prayer:
Dear Father, please help me to see and value your creation as you do. Help me to see where I can choose to contribute, so that all of creation might flourish.