Celebrating Earth Day

Our country has observed Earth Day in April for most of my life. I don’t remember hearing much about it growing up, and my first recollection of it being a thing was the 20th anniversary in 1990. 

However, I’ve always had an outdoor connection.

Growing up in Tulsa, my parents purchased some wooded acreage near Mannford, and we used to spend a lot of time doing various things there. I mostly spent my time traipsing around the creeks and ponds with my dog, Raider. 

Once, I was at the top of a ridge where a wet-weather creek ended in a pretty nice drop-off. Sitting at the top, I could swear that I could hear dripping even though the creek bed was dry. I made my way to the bottom of the ridge and discovered water dripping out of the side of the sandstone wall. It ran down into the creek. 

I came across this Yellow-crowned Night Heron on 
a walk in the woods earlier this month. Gratitude!

At first glance, I had visions of Jed Clampett discovering oil ala The Beverly Hillbillies. Then I realized that it was water and found the first of two springs that I discovered on that property. In the runoff beneath leading to the stream, I found a crawdad in the clear water. 

These kinds of discoveries were spiritual for me in that they connected me to the wider natural world. The more I learned about my surroundings, the larger my sense of gratitude for what God had created. Anything new or different was a wonder to be savored.

I would say that I still find that same sense of connection and gratitude when I wander in the woods. There are still new discoveries to make and beautiful scenery to behold.

I do connect with Paul's words to the Romans where he states that "God’s eternal power and divine nature, invisible though they are, have been seen and understood through the things God has made."

The Biblical witness indicates that God has given human beings stewardship over the creation. Out of the sense of gratitude, on this Earth Day, may we ensure that others can experience the same appreciation we have garnered.

Scripture quoted from Romans 1:20b, New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Daily Devotion for Lent 2025, Day 38

Today's Reading: Job, Chapter, Thirty-nine

God continues to extol the variety of the created order.  We are reminded in Psalm 24:1 that "The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it".  The author of Job includes all of the wildlife in the earth as well as the human beings.

A part of our work as human beings is to act as stewards for all life on earth on behalf of God.  This work was tasked to us at the beginning of Genesis which should emphasize its importance.  Genesis 1:26 states that people shall "have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over the cattle and over all the wild animals of the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.”

As we see Job at the beginning, we are told in 1:3 that he owned "seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred donkeys, and very many servants, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the East."  Wealth would have been gathered in livestock in that day.  Of course, later in the chapter, they are either all killed or stolen.  

Job doesn't speak explicitly about his own stewardship of the domesticated animals under his care, but he does mention his stewardship of the earth in 31:38-40:

"If my land has cried out against me and its furrows have wept together, if I have eaten its yield without payment and caused the death of its owners, let thorns grow instead of wheat and foul weeds instead of barley.”

So, Job does claim to follow God's law concerning stewardship of the land.  It would make sense that he would care for his animals as well.

Sheryl standing in front of the Ceiba Tree in Vieques, Puerto Rico.
  This tree is a little over 300 years old!

As I think about humanity's care for God's creation, I wouldn't be excited to receive our grade from God.  As Sheryl and I enjoy the outdoors and seek to do our part to care for it, I usually find myself picking up trash in some pretty obscure spots.  It's pretty disappointing to find evidence of someone else's laziness.  The recent cuts in environmental guidelines by the United States government are short-sighted and negligent in what God has asked us to do.

On this Maundy Thursday, we remember Peter's predicted denial of Jesus at the Last Supper.  It may be that we are collectively denying the Creator's tasks for us.

As we read this chapter with eyes of faith, we should be able to see the wonder and beauty of all that God has made.  It's important that we understand our role in saving safe spaces for other living things to co-habit this world with us so that the generations to come will also share in the wonder and beauty of all that God has made!

Prayer for the day:

Creating God, as we walk in your world, teach us to tread lightly.  And as we stop and look and listen, may we take joy in the knowledge that we do not inhabit this world by ourselves.  Help us to love what you love.  And may our love spur us to action.  Amen.

New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.