Together as One: A Lent DevotionalSample

Day 6: Together with creation

Which themes do you most associate with the Psalms?

Do you notice the themes of praise, lament and hope? These attitudes run throughout the Psalms, but they’re also how I often respond to creation, something the psalmist reflects on in today’s scripture.

In a time of climate crisis, this humbling truth can lead us to praise, lament and hope as we reflect on what it means for us today.

Praise for our creator

God’s creation is one of the greatest gifts we get to experience. We can marvel at its beauty, be nourished by its provision, and wonder at the intricacies of its design – all leading us to praise the beautiful creator who provides for us.

Lamenting the climate crisis

In response to our creator, we must also take seriously our calling to nurture God’s creation and ensure that we preserve a natural environment where everyone can thrive. And this means lamenting where climate breakdown and plastic pollution are affecting many of our global neighbours.

People like Mr Kastro are forced to adapt to feed their families because of the growing climate crisis…

Hope for our planet in Ethiopia

Mr Kastro was introduced to conservation farming through a Tearfund self-help group in Ethiopia. Struggling to feed his family using conventional farming methods, he tried out sustainable methods on one plot of land and conventional methods on the other. Astonishingly, he harvested almost 500kg of maize on the sustainably-farmed plot – a remarkable four-fold increase! This was enough to feed his family for six months.

Using sustainable farming techniques not only improved the quality of the soil and reduced the backbreaking workload for Mr Kastro. It also overcame food shortages: ‘We now harvest better crops in greater quantities while preserving our land for future production,’ he says.

Despite the challenges of adapting to a changing climate, Mr Kastro is working together with creation to bring hope for our planet and meet the needs of his family for years to come.

Reflect

• How does it make you feel when you spend time in nature? Could you create space to praise God in his beautiful creation this Lent?
• Where might you need to lament the climate crisis and perhaps acknowledge how we have all contributed to it?
• As you reflect on Mr Kastro’s story, spend time giving thanks for communities that are modelling care for God’s creation and restoring hope to people living in poverty.
• How does knowing that ‘the earth is the Lord’s and everything in it’ affect how you view your resources, money and possessions? Ask God to speak to you this Lent about how you are stewarding what he’s given you.

Pray

Creator God,

Thank you for the gift of our world. We praise you for the ways it reflects your glory, from the flowers blossoming between paving slabs to the birds soaring above our homes.

We acknowledge that the earth is yours and we lament the ways we have not cared for it as we should. We lament the ways that the people who are least responsible for climate change are often experiencing its worst impacts.

May you continue to use communities like Mr Kastro’s to reflect God’s hope for our world. Please use me to work together with your creation in all I do.

In Jesus’ name, amen.