Peace with Creation.

By David Poultney. in All Sorts

The Season of Creation challenges us to re-orient our relationship with creation.

When I lived in Broad Bay I discovered the cemetery there. Of course the dead don’t see but it is a beautiful spot for one’s remains to spend eternity, looking out over the harbour and the hills beyond.
I remember sitting there on a bench under the shade of an ancient tree and thinking one day I won’t be here, one day my life will come to an end and that is ok. In the scheme of things a human life is a blink of an eye, but we believe that each life is eternally significant. We place ourselves at the centre of things but the truth is we are one species in creation.
In September we observe the Season of Creation, we reflect upon Creation, the fabric of the World , the Universe itself as the gift and revelation of God.
It is becoming more and more clear that the Planet is in the grip of climate change and environmental degradation. It behoves us to reflect on our place in Creation and the challenge of stewardship.
The Season of Creation challenges us to re-orient our relationship with creation. While the challenge may have been provoked by the current ecological crisis and a growing awareness of our place in the web of creation, the origins of our re- orientation lie deep in our Christian tradition, especially our biblical heritage. We are challenged to return to our biblical roots to rediscover our intimate connections with creation. We return to see ourselves again as part of the very Earth from which we are made.
The symbol for the Season of Creation this year is at the had of this article. A tree divided into two parts, half of it lifeless and barren, half of it flourishing and nurturing life. In an echo of the flood story a dove with a sprig of Olive is flying from death towards life.
The Season of Creation is an invitation to make that journey from a dying to a thriving World and to rediscover our place in Creation.
David Poultney