“Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed,” Jesus said, “But if it dies, it produces many seeds.” Similarly these vibrant evergreens have each grown from a single seed buried in the earth. In springtime their continued growth is seen in the soft, light green tips of their branches.

Everywhere new life is emerging from winter’s tomb: cherry trees blossom, goslings waddle in a row, baby birds chirp from their nests. The earth is not silent; it is joyously proclaiming, “Christ has risen. He has risen indeed.”

The first mandate God gave us was to tend Earth’s glorious garden and the many creatures
who live in it. Thousands of years later, Jesus commanded us to love God and love our neighbour.  That doesn’t mean we forget our original call to care for creation. Jesus said those two commands summed up all the others, including the very first one. What we love, we will care for.

Go pray outside. Celebrate Earth Day with your other neighbours: the succulent shrub and blossoming vine, as well as ants, beavers, and eagles. Join the universal choir of rocks and trees, skies and seas that declare their Maker’s praise, breathe life on the earth, and still our hearts with awe.

This is my Father’s world,
and to my listening ears
all nature sings, and round me rings
the music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world:
I rest me in the thought of rocks and trees,
of skies and seas;
his hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father’s world,
the birds their carols raise,
the morning light, the lily white,
declare their maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world:
he shines in all that’s fair;
in the rustling grass I hear him pass;
he speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father’s world.
O let me ne’er forget
that though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world:
why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King; let the heavens ring!
God reigns; let the earth be glad!

Credits and references:
Photographs by Twila Savigny. Used with permission.
“This Is My Father’s World”  by Maltbie D. Babcock, 1901.
Scripture reference:  John 12:24 (NIV); Genesis 2:15; Luke 10:27 (NIV).

© Esther Hizsa, An Everyday Pilgrim, 2014
Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without permission from Esther Hizsa is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used provided there is a link to the original content and credit is given as follows: © Esther Hizsa, An Everyday Pilgrim 2013, 2014  http://www.estherhizsa.wordpress.com.