Thought for the day – Monday 30th March 2020
Reading: Genesis 1: 26 – 31
Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it — I give every green plant for food.” And it was so. God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.
However we look at the creation story of Genesis 1 it has a beauty and power which is amazing. A friend of mine became a Christian because, as a geologist, she was overwhelmed by the way all the stages of evolution were detailed in exactly the right order in this chapter. Surely the Bible must have some truth about it if people so many , many years ago could get this right when the science simply did not exist? One sure truth is that we are a part of God’s creation and his original plan, and part of that plan was that we would look after his world.
So much has been and is written about our failings and how we should try to do better. The thought for today is simply this… on a personal level is there one small thing extra I could do this Lent, hopefully something which might become a habit for the future? We are not helpless in the face of such a huge problem; even small actions can mount up. There is lots of advice out there – let’s believe we can make a difference and take up the challenge to be thoughtful stewards of God’s world.Prayer: Creator God. Show me how to tread lightly on this earth and to treat your Creation with care and with respect. Even though it may mean real change in my lifestyle, show me the way to live more gently and more thoughtfully in your way. Amen