Reflection: Restored creation – restored hope
When I go back into communities which have restored degraded environments that could barely meet their needs, the biggest change that I witness is – hope.
People who felt like hopeless victims of poverty and climate change with no way out have transformed their lives and their outlook. From not being able to adequately feed, clothe or educate their children, they are now able to meet these basic needs and more. Once bare, drought prone land has become more fertile, more resilient to climatic shocks and more productive. Springs revive, wildlife returns. A Senegalese group leader said, “the changes I see sometimes push me to just go into the field to appreciate the trees and the environment.” People have renewed strength and vigour.
For me, return visits to communities that have restored their environment are occasions of celebration. I witness dancing, singing, great pride, joy and hope.
Could it be that by restoring and working with God’s creation, we can experience a foretaste of heaven on earth? That has certainly been my experience. It may be that we have never experienced the level of extreme poverty and hardship described here but all of us can benefit from a greatly enriched life through taking care of God’s creation.
Prayer:
Renew our strength, restore hope as we work with you in restoring creation.