In the biblical story, the word for ‘coastland’ also means ‘island,’ and refers to the edge places where the sea meets the land. There are many kinds of shorelines: marshes; cliffs; ragged rocks; trees; sandy banks and beaches — and all the edge places of water and land. These are the spaces where we feel grounded and look toward the world beyond.
At the same time, in an era of catastrophic climate, the shorelines are among the first places in Creation to show the consequences. Erosion, disappearing vegetation, rising sea levels are just some examples. We have already crossed climate thresholds in our relationship to the whole of Creation, as we hear about heatwaves and wildfires, the extinction of species and the disappearance of glaciers. Are we nearing the end times?
As Christians, we are called always to the promise of renewal, even when the way things are going does not feel very regenerative. In Season of Creation, we witness to the harm we continue to bring to the earth, as well as our inability to live with rather than on the land. At the same time, it is a season for turning to the wisdom of nature and what it can teach us.
How can we stand at the vulnerable threshold places of our changing Creation and act for a better future? How can we see and live into the far-reaching view from the coastland?
Join us weekdays from September 2 - 13 as we reflect on our love of Creation and find ways to act for change. You can find Lutherans Connect on Facebook, or contact lutheransconnect@gmail.com.
Photo credit: Bernard Spragg. NZ
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