Advent leftovers

As I put together the Advent Devotional for our college (more life updates later), I sometimes write pieces that cover for late submissions. Sometimes they still come through and my piece gets laid aside. I decided to post them here this year for anyone interested.

Scripture: Genesis 9:12-17 

When I think about God’s promises, I usually spend time reflecting on those that involve me or those near me; promises of faith, hope, and love; promises of endurance, peace, and patience; promises of mercy, grace, and salvation. But every now and then, I remember that God makes covenant commitments not just to me, or to believers only, but to all those on earth. The promises of the Creator extend to all creation.

After Noah’s flood, God makes a new covenant to all of the creatures on earth, which is kind of mind blowing. God, Creator of the Universe, “will remember the covenant between me and you and every living being among all the creatures.” And his promise is through and with Noah to them. Man has a part in this covenant of God with the rest of the planet. God cares for all of creation. Every. Living. Being.

Do I? Can I?

If God has made a covenant not just with all the life on earth, shouldn’t I take care of it, too? What does God’s covenant with creation say about care for the environment? What does God’s promise mean to how we look at the nameless masses of our brothers and sisters that suffer in poverty? How, during this season of renewal, can we see all of life through God’s eyes – as part of the gift and wonder of God’s handiwork? When Christ returns triumphant, what will he think of what we’ve done with the lives entrusted to us?

Prayer:

God of the sparrow and whale and locust and all humanity, give us new eyes to see the miracle and wonder of life teeming across the face of your world. May each life, every living being, be precious in its own way. Push and prod us to be stewards and caretakers of your creation. Amen.