Finding God in Creation
Whether through personal experience or images from TV
or movies, we can all imagine the different parts of creation that
are the focus for this season. We know the vistas, and the plants and
animals, even the people, that live in forests, wilderness/outback
regions, along rivers, and in the different landscapes that
cover the earth.
During this Season of Creation we hear the story of
creation through the voices of Paul, David, and John of Patmos, and
called to even greater awareness of all parts of creation. We might
call these writers advocates and allies for creation. We are
challenged to hear in their words the call to also be advocates in
today’s world.
Paul, David, and John invite us to encounter God in
creation, and bring messages of God’s love and presence with us.
David talks of an “inescapable God” who is everywhere, and ready
for a relationship with us (Psalm 139:7–12). In Romans 8:18–27,
Paul reminds us of the groaning pains of creation. This is a message
familiar to us today as we grapple with the human effects of taking
advantage and doing harm to creation. Paul’s address to the people
in Athens (Acts 17:22–28) is intended to evangelize, and so too can
our work to care for creation, alongside people of different faiths
and perhaps no faith, be a witness to our faith. John’s vision of
the river of life in Revelation 22:1–5 invites us to find hope,
promise, and renewal in a river that connects all nations to God.
Guided by God through the Holy Spirit, we can nurture and care for
all creation, and be leaves of healing for all nations. When we work
to bring renewed life and peace where there is neglect and violence
against creation, we will find God there.
The Season of Creation is
celebrated during the first four Sundays of September leading up to
the feast of St. Francis of Assisi October 4. St. Francis honoured
and respected creation through the way that he lived and is a model
for each one of us today. Sundays this year are Forest, Land,
Wilderness/Outback, and River.
Copyright © Wood Lake Publishing Inc. 2013 Seasons of the Spirit™ SeasonsFUSION
Season of Creation • Pentecost 2 2014, p. 11
