In the next month, the world will celebrate "Earth Day". In the church it is imperative that we join in this secular observance to honor the gift of creation, and to remind ourselves that we are called to be stewards of this blessing God has given to us.
God is so present in creation ... in the beautiful sunrise and sunset; in the crashing waves of the ocean; in the rugged mountains; in the simple flower blooming in the garden; in the ice on the trees; in the cardinals that fly across the backyard; in the clear blue sky; in the hazy cloudy day too. These are sacred scenes where we encounter the holiness of God's presence in this precious gift he has so generously given to us.
The environment is a "hot" topic these days, with conversations about conservation and global warming, pollution and climate control, the carbon footprint and nuclear waste. We in the church need to be part of those conversations. We need to be in the dialogue. We need to be up front in taking action. We need to be the voice of advocacy and the impetus to doing something that makes a lasting difference.
With these thoughts in mind, I set out to write a hymn that expressed a theology of creation and to remind us to be faithful stewards, collectively and individually. We are called to be faithful in caring for and looking after this great gift we have been blessed with so that there will be something to pass on to future generations to enjoy too!
“God Creator of All Beauty”
Tune: Thaxted
Metre: 13 13 13 13 13 13
God creator of all beauty, you formed the earth and sky.
You created all of nature, all of the birds that fly.
We are blessed by your creation; you surround us with your grace;
In the summer’s bright warm sunshine, and autumn’s cloudy haze.
You are here in all the colours, so full of life and bright;
You are here amidst the darkness, as the daylight fades to night.
God creator of all beauty, you formed us as your own.
And you gave us your creation, to enjoy as life goes on.
And you’ve called us to be stewards, to take care of this great earth.
So with honor and thanksgiving, what a ministry of worth.
It’s a privilege to do our part, just as you ask us all.
So responsible and caring, make us worthy of our call.
God creator of all beauty, you saw that is was good.
Now empowered with your Spirit, our calling understood.
Our desire is to be faithful, your creation now to serve.
Help us understand the danger, if we do not conserve.
This great earth is such a blessing, one easy to neglect;
May we not abuse your goodness, rather show our great respect!
God creator of all beauty, the seasons, years and days;
We do thank you for your glory, and offer you our praise.
Now entrusted to our care, for generations yet to be,
This inheritance to pass on, for the future fresh and free.
Help us on this road of preservation, as we journey on.
May the gift that we now treasure, still to our children dawn!
Text: copyright, The Rev. Mark Kinghan, 2009. Not to be reproduced or redistributed in any form without the express written permission of the author.
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