Earth Rise and the Power of Resurrection
Spring is a time of renewal and rebirth in the Northern Hemisphere. As the earth wakes up from its winter slumber, new life bursts forth everywhere. Spring is the perfect backdrop to the Christian celebration of Easter. The 40 Day Lenten season that leads to Easter begins with short days and chilly weather. It culminates in warmer, light-filled days of spring with a joyous celebration of Resurrection: the triumph of life and love over death and darkness. The natural processes of the Earth and the spiritual message of Easter seem to be intimately connected.
However, the Earth and Easter are even more closely connected than they seem. It’s not just the calendar that connects them; it is God’s uplifting presence that unite the two. Let’s take a closer look at Earth Rise and the Power of Resurrection.
The Heavens and the Earth Reflect God’s Love
In the Book of Genesis, God creates the heavens and the earth over six days, and declares each day good, even very good. (Genesis 1:31). God’s Creation is fruitful, diverse, and complex; it sustains a vast variety of life. From the towering mountains to the tiniest wildflowers to the multitude of stars in the sky, to the human family—all of Creation reflects God’s love. Like the Creation itself, this love is uplifting and enduring.
As much as we feel God’s presence in the Creation, it’s not until you get a picture of the whole of the Earth in the Heavens that you realize just how magnificent is God’s creation, and God’s love. For humanity as a whole, that day came in 1968.
Earth Rise and Resurrection
In 1968, the Apollo 8 mission sent astronauts around the moon. As the astronauts emerged from the dark side of the moon, they were greeted by an unexpected sight. They saw the Earth rising over the moon like a brilliant blue and white marble, set against the blackness of space. This awe-inspiring image, captured in the photograph dubbed “Earth Rise,” has had a profound impact on our spiritual understanding of God’s creation.
Seeing ourselves as inhabitants of a single, fragile planet fostered a sense of global community and a newfound respect for diverse cultures and religions. Interfaith dialogue flourished as we realized our shared connection to Earth. First time protections for the Earth were born. Earth Day, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and even the Environmental Protection Agency were all launched as a result of this stunning view of Earth. Shortly thereafter the war in Vietnam ended. All of this was influenced by the views that came back from space.
The concept of “heaven” also took on new meaning. The promise of a “new heaven and new earth” began to be seen not as an afterlife destination but as a future where heaven and Earth are reconciled; where people live in peace with one another in the here and now.
The Easter message of Resurrection resonates even more deeply when viewed through this lens. Salvation isn’t just about going to heaven after death; it’s about creating a heaven here on Earth, a world filled with harmony between God, creation, and humanity.
Showing Our Love Back to God
Through the Creation we experience God’s love and nearness. The sunrise, a babbling brook, a field of wildflowers – all these things bring joy and wonder to those who experience them. We, too, can show our love for God’s creation by cherishing and protecting it. Loving and caring for one another and for the Earth demonstrates our respect for our one shared home. Rejoice in the beauty of the earth, yes. Pray for the earth and her peoples, yes. Reduce, reuse, and recycle, yes. Also, pay attention to industrial and energy processes that impact the earth, and harm the climate. Find alternatives to war. In all these ways, we show our love for God, our respect for Resurrection, and our gratitude for this beautiful earth we call home.
A Time for Celebration
As we celebrate the Easter season, let us also give thanks for the wonder of God’s creation and our place within it. As Martin Luther said, “Our Lord has written the promise of Resurrection, not in books alone but in every leaf of springtime.” Let us show our love for God by becoming better stewards of Heaven and Earth. Read more about how to do this in Green Church: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Rejoice! and 7 Simple Steps to Green Your Church. Or reach out for a personal conversation on how to develop your vision of a new heaven and a new earth.
Happy Easter!
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