A Healing Planet
I recently watched a documentary on the first world's dependence on tech. Scientists theorized that if our tech was shut off indefinitely, most of us would die. We rely too heavily on our ability to communicate across long distances and in short amounts of time. Our food would run out quickly, and we would have no way to maintain the complex movement of food, water, clothing, money that we rely on.
But then I read a psalm like this one. It reminds me that we are intricately connected with a God that created our food, shelter, clothing, and money. We might rely on tech, but we also rely on a God that provides for all God's creation. Am I saying the scientists are wrong, and that we won't all die? No, I believe many would probably die due to the mass confusion -- not to mention humanity's uncanny ability to react poorly under stress (riots, looting, chaos). But I also believe that this planet has the incredible capacity to heal itself. And humanity has the improbable ability to reach out, to share, to look out for one another, and to bounce back from inconceivable tragedies. When all is said and done, I'll bank on humanity, on this planet, and on God any day.
Narrative Lectionary Text: Psalm 147
Praise the Lord! How good it is to sing praises to our God; for he is gracious, and a song of praise is fitting.
The Lord builds up Jerusalem; he gathers the outcasts of Israel.
He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds.
He determines the number of the stars; he gives to all of them their names.
Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; his understanding is beyond measure.
The Lord lifts up the downtrodden; he casts the wicked to the ground.
Sing to the Lord with thanksgiving; make melody to our God on the lyre.
He covers the heavens with clouds, prepares rain for the earth, makes grass grow on the hills.
He gives to the animals their food, and to the young ravens when they cry.
His delight is not in the strength of the horse, nor his pleasure in the speed of a runner;
but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him, in those who hope in his steadfast love.
Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem! Praise your God, O Zion!
For he strengthens the bars of your gates; he blesses your children within you.
He grants peace within your borders; he fills you with the finest of wheat.
He sends out his command to the earth; his word runs swiftly.
He gives snow like wool; he scatters frost like ashes.
He hurls down hail like crumbs— who can stand before his cold?
He sends out his word, and melts them; he makes his wind blow, and the waters flow.
He declares his word to Jacob, his statutes and ordinances to Israel.
He has not dealt thus with any other nation; they do not know his ordinances. Praise the Lord!