Friday, January 19

Life Cycle

Narrative Lectionary Daily Devotions written by Kace Leetch from Clergy Stuff.

As we continue our celebration of God's miraculous creation, today we pay homage to the creator, without whom nothing would exist. God created all things, God gives life, God gives food, and yes, God is responsible for the gift of death. God is responsible for the cycle of life. Life begins, lives, and dies, feeding creation as it continues its life cycle. 

I grew up in California, where there are only two seasons: dry and wet. Summer is primarily dry and warm, while winter is primarily wet and cold. Half of fall and half of spring are each half dry/warm and wet/cold. And so it goes. Dry. Wet. Dry. Wet.

But I live in Minnesota now, where there are four very robust seasons. (Some say there are two seasons in Minnesota: snow and road construction. But that's a story for another blog.) Summer is hot, humid, and buggy. It's also incredibly social, since there are so few months when people can really get out and enjoy the company of neighbors. Fall is beautiful (my favorite, actually)! The weather begins to cool, the foliage is bright and colorful, and the oppressive humidity turns to dew and breeze. Winter is brutal, with its below zero temps and icy snowstorms. Nearly everything is dead in winter. No leaves on trees. No bugs. No squirrels (good riddance). Then life begins to return in the spring, slushy, wet, colorful, and full of life. And God is behind all of it. 

Narrative Lectionary Text: Psalm 104:27-30

These all look to you
   to give them their food in due season; 
when you give to them, they gather it up;
   when you open your hand, they are filled with good things. 
When you hide your face, they are dismayed;
   when you take away their breath, they die
   and return to their dust. 
When you send forth your spirit, they are created;
   and you renew the face of the ground.