The Art of Spiritual Practice
This week we observe Earth Day on April 22nd. It is not a day just to pick up litter or vow to be a little better at recycling, although these are steps. What matters Is what motivates us to care for the Earth? Ultimately a recognition of the fact that our lovely blue and green planet floating in a vast universe is a unique creation, crafted by the love of God.
Teilhard de Chardin, paleontologist and priest writes in Letters to a Traveler, All that really matters is devotion to something bigger than ourselves. The more I devote myself in some way to the interests of earth in its highest form, the more I belong to God.
By loving the Earth with humility (I think of the hymn, How Great Thou Art) and with a tender love for how this physical earth reflects the very nature of Love in its highest form, the more we “belong to God.” We are not separate from this planet. We are made of the very same elements. Yet we are conscious! How will we use this awareness to honor and protect this earth so all beings can survive and thrive?
The spiritual practice: Ask yourself ,”What is my relationship to Earth? Does it reflect an honoring of God, a belonging to God, an inspiring by God?”
Pastor Marcia Wakeland is a retired ELCA pastor, a spiritual director and a listening advocate. She is interested in the actual experience of having faith and how that is lived out. She can be reached at mwakeland@gmail.com for comments or more questions Her ongoing blog of living out spiritual practices is listeninglife.live.