Jesus said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.” (Mark 4:30-32)
This spring we see many different colours of plants, flowers and even some trees. The trees seem to come alive again, growing new leaves that provide food, shelter, oxygen and shade.
The trees themselves nourish new life into being. Trees can also communicate with each other via an underground network of soil fungi – they can send nutrients, water and unused carbon to each other!
In Japan they do something called “forest bathing.” Research has shown that breathing among trees in a forest can reduce stress and make us feel happier.
Damaging and destroying the Earth affects our relationship with God. The Earth is divinely created. It reveals God’s character, God’s goodness, and God intends us to relate to him through how we relate to other parts of his creation.
We’ve been created to be in relationship with God, with each other, and with the wider natural world. Part of being human is taking care of what God made, what God loves, what God values, and that includes creation.
Climate change has upended our ecosystem, and will continue to do so. We are starting to do our part. Our church has been outfitted with LED lights, and we have been worshiping downstairs to cut our energy consumption significantly.
There are other things we can do, individually and as a group, to make a difference, and be better stewards of what God has entrusted to us.
Let’s identify these things, perhaps we can even become an eco-church, known for our care of all of God’s creation. We can be like the trees, giving life a chance, allowing God’s light and living water to work through us to make a difference and give others space to breathe.
Hug a tree! Be connected!
Grace and peace,
Rev. Kevin Highfield
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