Those who live at earth’s farthest bounds are awed by your signs; you make the gateways of the morning and the evening shout for joy. Psalm 65:8, NRSV
I recently came across a lovely contemporary translation of this verse from Eugene Peterson’s The Message, which reads, "Far and wide they’ll come to a stop, they’ll stare in awe, in wonder. Dawn and dusk take turns calling, 'Come and worship.'"
I love that! These early spring mornings, I am often outside with the dog at dawn and overwhelmed by the chorus of birds in the trees overhead making such a sound that now I have words to describe it, “Come and worship.” What a glorious way to begin the day in awe and wonder at their joyful praise.
From beginning to end, we cannot separate the revelation of God in holy scripture from the natural world around us. The drama of salvation has a special focus on God’s covenant relationship with humankind, but the scripture adorns that drama with flowers, buds and fruits; with birds and nests and shade trees; with rivers, streams and flowing fountains. Our human spirituality cannot be separated from the natural world around us.
As people of faith, we are called to be faithful stewards of God’s good earth, and we are privileged to have a leading environmental scientist to help us think about that calling in new ways. I am very excited that on Monday, April 7, at 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary, we will welcome Michael Mann as our Community Forum speaker. Dr. Mann is Professor and Director of the Center for Science, Sustainability, and Media at the University of Pennsylvania. Not only is he a local expert on the challenges of environmental science and climate change, but he is also a leading international voice whose work offers practical wisdom on how to care for the natural world around us.
Dr. Mann’s message carries a proactive urgency that I hope will draw many of us to this timely Community Forum. Join with your church family and friends from the wider community to welcome his scientific expertise on this critical topic. Our environmental stewardship resonates deeply with our biblical understanding of God’s good purposes for all creation. Our care of the good earth, after all, begins in awe and wonder.
