Introduction: The ways people
pursue God, or even pray, can be as different as the very people who pursue
God. Spiritual writers and mentors have long appreciated these varieties of
pathways that pilgrims have followed in their prayer journey. For example, many
are led to deep devotion through such things as music, contemplation or
activism, but others have found that it’s the beauty and mystery of the
natural, created world that leads them to a humbling encounter of praise and
prayer with their Creator God. Of course, the pathways mix to varying degrees
according to our personalities and interests.
Those who find
nature an important spiritual pathway can see their own faith story unfold in
the creation story of Genesis 1 and 2 in the Christian and Jewish Bible. Being
mindful not to worship creation but only the Creator, a consideration of the
natural world not only helps them do that, but also guides them in their
stewardship of what God has created. Each day this week we will look to the
‘seven day’ creation story from these first two chapters of the Bible’s very
first book. All references are from the Bible’s New Revised Standard Version.
Day 5 – “Known” -- And God said, “Let the waters bring forth… creatures, and let birds
fly… Be fruitful and multiply…” (Genesis 1:20, 22)
Reflect: “Be
fruitful and multiply,” said God. But if there is ever any question about
God’s generosity or largesse, that question seems to be answered when
considering the veritable abundance of his creatures. For example, did you know
there are about 10,000 known species of birds, and 30,000 fish, compared to
about 5,000 mammals? It is no wonder primitive peoples were impressed, looking
to animals in their animistic religions. We could do far worse than that, and often
do.
Yet in spite of
their numbers, it is these beasts Job turns to for encouragement in his
suffering, needing to know that God has not forgotten him. (Be sure to read
that passage, it’s delightful!) Jesus also refers to birds as proof of God’s
loving care, not only in the Matthew 6 text but in Matthew 10:29, where he says
that the Father takes loving notice when even a single, plain sparrow falls to
the ground. What a God!
But have you
noticed a phrase and word that has been used in each of the Genesis passages
we’ve read this week except for one? In five of the ‘six days of creation,’ it
says, “And God saw that it was good.”
(God must have had a bad day on Day 2!) The Hebrew word for good is tov (long O). Tov is more than just a
generic good as we might think of it. Tov is great cheer, the highest of goods,
a sense of well-being in the widest sense. And by ‘day 6’ after animals and
humans are created, God calls it all very
tov! Even God was impressed.
Observe: Think for a moment: how many birds do you
think you’d recognize by their call alone?
A robin? A crow? A chickadee? (That one’s easy, they say their name!) Write
down as many as you can think of in three minutes, even if one is a rooster!
Then give God thanks that he knows your
voice, he knows your name, he knows your needs and those of your loved ones.
Pray: I am astounded by your creation, God, awed by its complexity
and variety. From landforms to animals to the heavenly bodies to human beings,
your table is indeed an abundant one. Thank you for the beauty of your earth.
Amen.
Hymn for the Day: “All
Creatures of our God and King”
Link for the Day: Dccorah, Iowa Eaglecam
No comments:
Post a Comment