I dearly love it when Spring returns and I hear birds singing early in the morning. I know, through my own experience, what scientific research has confirmed, that being in touch with nature is healing and refreshing to our souls. I read a study not long ago that suggested that people who dig in the dirt have stronger immune systems. I believe that this is true whether we are talking about physical immunity or emotional/mental immunity. Whether you are a person who likes to dig in the dirt or not, paying attention to the miracle that is creation is not only fun and refreshing, but I suggest it is a spiritual practice. Regular and intentional presence in and contact with God’s good creation is essential for our health and for our knowledge of God. “Heaven is declaring God’s glory; the sky is proclaiming his handiwork. One day gushes the news to the next, and one night informs another what needs to be known.” Psalm 19:1-2 (CEB).
So, after you read this, go outside (or at least open a window) and listen, smell and look for beauty and renewal. Then plan to come to worship this Sunday at FLPC. We promise that, while we will have the air conditioning on in the sanctuary, we will be focused on the gift of God’s creation and how to live on earth as faithful followers of Jesus. Earth Sunday at FLPC has a long tradition of being a fun, interactive experience. We praise God in worship, and then everyone is invited to the Fellowship Hall for exhibits and snacks and a plant swap that help us celebrate what God has created and given into our care.
If you are feeling down, come and run your hands over a few plants (that works for me EVERY time!). If you need good news, come and reflect on how a very small garden at FLPC has fed our hungry neighbors with fresh fruits and vegetables for over 10 years! If you’d like to do something good for this world, come and purchase a bag of Café Justo coffee! This coffee is shade grown, organic and fair trade (i.e. the coffee farmers are paid a living wage for what they grow in Mexico). So, you will be doing economic development just by drinking your morning cup of java! If you have extra plants that need some love or a new home, bring those and take home a new plant! There will be snacks, laughter, joy, and beauty. What more could one want?
When Scripture describes how creation will react when God comes, Isaiah says that the mountains and hills will sing, and the trees of the field will clap their hands (Isaiah 55:12). Come and celebrate this amazing, miraculous gift of an earth that God has given us. Come and worship with us (and stay afterwards for a plant swap, snacks and laughter!)!
