The Season of Creation is about remembering our roots—some of them literal. It’s knowledge that the water we use flows downstream to someone or something else. It’s about less consumption and more respect for the world, and for everyone and everything else that depends on the same resources. The prophet Amos cries out, “But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” (Amos 5:24), and we join Amos in that cry, remembering that part of justice and righteousness is the literal river, too.

So, this month, as part of the Season of Creation, I invite you to do two things:

1. To notice. To see the breeze moving the leaves, to take a deep breath of air outside, to pay attention to the birds in your lawns and bushes and trees. See the complexity of God’s creation, and notice how we share space. To see ourselves as creation, too.

2. To try a new practice, even once. Try a meatless Monday. Check your trees for spotted lanternfly eggs, and if you see some, scrape them off for disposal. Look in a thrift store first when you’re shopping. Learn about composting. There are so many options—just try one!

And while you’re at it, if you’re logging your Bible reading for our Sunday projects this month, you might look at the Psalms (try Psalm 29!), or the beginning of Genesis, or the Song of Songs. God made creation and called it good. Let us look around, and be part of the blessing.

I’ll see you in church—

Becky

Prayer

God of all that we see and all that we don’t,

We take a moment now to pause,

To notice the wonder and complexity of the natural world.

We see how intricate your creation is,

We sense how fragile the balance can be,

And we notice how interrelated we all are,

In relationship with each other and with other creatures.

We notice the temptation we sometimes feel

To run roughshod over your work.

Slow us down.

Help us to see the difference between “need” and “want.”

Teach us to notice the richness of our lives,

And teach us that consumption is not your value.

Blessed be you, Lord God of all creation. Amen.