Respecting God's Creation

06Jun
As for you, my flock, thus says the Lord God: I shall judge between sheep and sheep, between rams and goats: Is it not enough for you to feed on the good pasture, but you must tread down with your feet the rest of your pasture? When you drink of clear water, must you foul the rest with your feet? And must my sheep eat what you have trodden with your feet, and drink what you have fouled with your feet?

Therefore, thus says the Lord God to them: I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. Because you pushed with flank and shoulder, and butted at all the weak animals with your horns until you scattered them far and wide, I will save my flock, and they shall no longer be ravaged; and I will judge between sheep and sheep.

I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd. And I, the Lord, will be their God, and my servant David shall be prince among them; I, the Lord, have spoken.

—Ezekiel 34:17-31


Years of watching children play with blocks leads me to one observation about human nature: it is far easier to tear things down than to build them up. Children will spend hours at play attempting to construct an elaborate castle or other structure, with walls, roofs, and winding walkways, only to see one child take it all down with a simple push. As adults, we know how much faster a demolition project takes in our home than the actual remodeling completion. It is far easier to tear things down than to build them up.


This observation may even shape our treatment of others in the world, and be reflected in the way our governing bodies and corporate institutions treat God’s creation, including people. other creatures, and Earth itself.


The prophet Ezekiel reminds me that God deeply loves the creation God has shaped. While God provides us (the sheep) with food to eat, we then “tread down” the pasture. When God gives us clear water, we foul that water by stepping all over it as if it is ours. And the prophet notes that some of the sheep push and shove to fatten themselves at the expense of the weaker sheep in the flock. As one of the top 10% in the world, I play a part in this injustice. How are we moving closer to Christ’s vision of the Kingdom? God is not calling us to “feel guilty”; guilt does little to change our actions. Instead, I believe we are being called to help God in this divine mission of caring for creation (which includes ALL God’s people), sharing our blessings with a world in need, becoming the “flock” of a loving God who only wants us to do holy, loving work in this lifetime. While others rapidly move to destroy and take down, our work as God’s people is to slowly, steadily, and lovingly build a world worthy of God’s love and respectful of all God’s creation: land, water, creatures, and people.


Musical Reflection - "All Creatures of Our God and King" from Westminster Abbey


Almighty and everlasting God, you made the universe with all its marvelous order, its atoms, worlds, and galaxies, and the infinite complexity of living creatures: Grant that, as we probe the mysteries of your creation, we may come to know you more truly, and more surely fulfill our role in your eternal purpose; in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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