The Lord Has Need
Without a doubt, one of the major topics of our day is environmental concerns. We are inundated with discussions and debates on global warming, greenhouse gases, carbon footprints, emission standards, electric cars, fossil fuels, etc. The core of the following article was originally delivered at a Parish Life Conference in 2012 —- before I was personally aware of any of the above. Along with you, I believe we are entrusted with caring for this wonderful earth God has given us. But those of you who know me know I would not vote for any Green New Deal that assumes we can change the weather, the seasons or the climate which God has put in place and controls.
I just needed to say that.
“The earth is the Lord’s and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein” (Psalm 24:1).
As we contemplate the greatness of God – His omnipotence (all power), His omniscience (all knowledge) and omnipresence (all presence) – we generally (and rightly so) conclude that He has no need. Everything belongs to Him and is subject to Him. However, with reverential fear, we offer the following thoughts proposing that He has chosen to accept some needs.
The drama of the creation of the world is, in large measure, beyond our comprehension. We must stand in awe and amazement at the creation…it’s all His – His work – His power – His wisdom! But wait—there’s more! A short time after it was all brought into order, God took Adam and Eve by the hand and stood with them at the entrance to a breathtakingly beautiful garden. And He spoke, “Here within all My creation, I have made a special place. And, I offer it to you for your dwelling….. I want you to be fruitful and multiply; fill this earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and every living thing that moves on the earth” (Genesis 1:28). And again, “Here in the garden, I want you to tend to it and keep it” (Genesis 2:15).
We might stand in awe as well that God wants – even needs – us to help Him in maintaining this creation.
I would reverently suggest to you what might have been said next and what history reveals, “Adam & Eve, take care of My creation; I will be needing these for My plans and purpose. You see, My grace, My power, My virtue, My love will flow through the things of this earth and all that dwell therein.
My children, take care of those trees, for Noah will need an ark (Genesis 6). Moses will sweeten the water at Marah (Exodus 15). Elisha will recover an ax head with a branch (II Kings 6). And, yes, a tree will be needed for a cross on Golgotha (Matthew 27).
My children, take care of the grain fields, for Joseph will need some for his brothers (Genesis 42), Boaz will need something to help Ruth and Naomi (Ruth 2). King David will feed his soldiers (I Samuel 21) and there must be bread for the Last Supper (Mark 14).
My children, take care of the vineyards for there Gideon will hide (Judges 6), Solomon will find his beloved (Song of Solomon 1) and Jesus will use one to teach (John 15). There, also, must be wine for that special Supper.
My children, be mindful of the stars for they will declare my glory (Psalm 8) and lead the Magi to Bethlehem (Matthew 2). They will symbolize the angels of the Church (Revelation 1).
My children, take care of the waters for they must part to set my people free and close to destroy the enemy (Exodus 14). They will open the way for My people to enter the Promised Land (Joshua 3) and for Elijah to near the fiery chariot (II Kings 2). They will receive the grace of the Son through His baptism (Matthew 3) and provide the way of new birth into the Kingdom for His believers (John 3).
My children, take care of the animals for Abraham will have use of a ram (Genesis 22), Elijah will depend on ravens for food (I Kings 17) The priests will need lambs and bulls for sacrifices, the Wise Men will need camels. And Jesus will have need of a donkey (John 12).
I will also be needing wine and oil, mud and gold, bread and fish, wind and waves, and bushes and fire in teaching and healing the people through word and miracles.
And, oh yes, Adam and Eve, take care of yourselves, your bodies, your humanity. I will one day (in the fullness of time) need it. My beloved Son will take it upon Himself and bring salvation to the entire world. You human beings will become temples of the Holy Spirit—vessels of divine glory (I Corinthians 6:19,20).
It has been a long time since that little talk at the garden gate. Adam and Eve were not as successful as it was hoped. Instead of caretakers, they became consumers; and, instead of guardians, they became gluttons.
But the earth is still the Lord’s and all its fullness. And, when we come to the end of life’s journey, when our body is lying in the church, those words will be spoken over us as the oil and the earth are sprinkled upon us. “The earth is the Lord’s and its fullness…”
Let us remember then, we take care of this earth, not just for our good pleasure and comfort, not just for our happiness and prosperity but because the Lord has need of it.
Fr. Andrew
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