Musical Prelude and Service

For the past month we have been reflecting on the beauty and awe of God’s creation. We have
reflected on our place in this wonderful creation and our responsibility to creation, to one another
and to God. Through themes such as Ocean, Fauna and Flora and Storm we have focused on
different aspects of creation and how we experience God or God’s creative power in these things.
Such as God in Ocean or God in Fauna and Flora or God in storm.
This Sunday we get a little broader with the theme of Cosmos. Or, essentially everything. God’s
creativity in the world; the sun, the moon, the stars and everything in between.
God’s creative power, God’s creative energy, was present and at work in all that we behold; whether
it be as we took a walk around our community, looking at the trees, the squirrels, the birds or if we
sit outside at night and marvel at the moon and the stars. God is there.
The passage from Proverbs we read this morning characterizes Wisdom as a unique person that has
accompanied God all along in the act of creation. The writer of proverbs imagines Wisdom as a
woman who witnesses all these creative actions and delights in the power and the creativity of God
at work. And, she states, God finds joy in witnessing to her delight.
I find this a fascinating image to consider. First, Wisdom is present in the act of creation. A Wisdom
we can presumably listen to and learn from, if we take the time and are prepared to listen.
But furthermore, the act of creation is an act of joy, an act of love; and delight is to be found in the
creation.
What does that mean for us? What can and do we take from that notion?
When we take time to think of God and Wisdom laughing in delight and joy as the sun and the stars
are fashioned, what does that shape in us? If we consider God and Wisdom finding joy and wonder
in the creation of whales and fish in the ocean; are we moved to pause and consider how we see
those oceans?
And when we consider the ramifications of God smiling and finding joy as Wisdom delights in the
creation of humanity; when we consider this work of creation was an act of love that brought joy to
our creator, does this move us to look at one another in all our shapes, our sizes our colours? And
wonder at just how painful and distressing it must be that we allow ourselves to be tempted by fear
and hatred and greed and ambition?
What does it mean that we allow ourselves to pass judgment on one another because our tastes and
the people we fall in love with may seem strange or out of step with what some of us were taught?
What does it mean that we cast doubt on God’s joy at the creation of everything we behold.
Another of today’s readings comes from Psalm 148
Psalm 148
Praise for God’s Universal Glory
Praise the Lord!
Praise the Lord from the heavens;
praise him in the heights!
Praise him, all his angels;
praise him, all his host!
Praise him, sun and moon;
praise him, all you shining stars!
Praise him, you highest heavens,
and you waters above the heavens!
Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for he commanded and they were created.
He established them for ever and ever;
he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.
Praise the Lord from the earth,
you sea monsters and all deeps,
fire and hail, snow and frost,
stormy wind fulfilling his command!
Mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars!
Wild animals and all cattle,
creeping things and flying birds!
Kings of the earth and all peoples,
princes and all rulers of the earth!
Young men and women alike,
old and young together!
Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for his name alone is exalted;
his glory is above earth and heaven.
He has raised up a horn for his people,
praise for all his faithful,
for the people of Israel who are close to him.
Praise the Lord!
All of creation finds ways to praise. Not to judge; not to exploit; but to praise.
We are connected; we are part of this wide and vast creation. We are part of something so much
larger than our individual selves. We are designed to fit together and to support one another.
A great deal of time is spent discussing how we are increasingly disconnected in this current society.
We spend time blaming this on modern technology, in particular social media. We become focused
on what we read and see on our phones or our tablets. We find refuge in groups that share similar
interests and viewpoints and stop communicating with the people who live next door or down the
street. We find ourselves entrenched in our beliefs and are tempted to see those with different views
as being the enemy or a threat to the things we value.
It is heartbreaking. As I have emphasized in the past, this is not a call to sacrifice our principles.
This is not a suggestion that we give in to those who preach hate. But is it possible to hold on
remember we are all beloved creations of God, to recognize the ways we are all connected; we are
all loved and still hold fast to our values; our vision of a world of justice and peace, where everyone
is valued and celebrated as created in God’s delight?
If we are committed to working with God to build a world of connection and interdependency, then
we must be part of the work of building bridges and tearing down walls. It is our responsibility to see
and recognize the ways we are connected. I struggle with this I admit. In the face of hatred and
anger I am frequently tempted to shut down or turn away. I often question if it is worth my time to
engage. I frequently believe such a reaction is the best response. But, to build a connected world; a
world with fewer walls, we must find ways to recognizing God’s face, smiling in delight, in the people;
all the people we encounter.
So it is my prayer that we can recommit ourselves to God’s vision of welcome; of love and peace.
Welcoming all to be part of our community, and also striving to make this a place of safety for all of
God’s creation.

Music provided with permission through licensing with CCLI License number
2701258 and One License # A-731789