The Creator and Creation (for June 6 and 10)

Grand Canyon National Park

There is of course no sense at all in trying to describe the Grand Canyon. Those who have not seen it will not believe any possible description. Those who have seen it know that it cannot be described...  It is not a show place, a beauty spot, but a revelation. The Colorado River made it; but you feel when you are there that God gave the Colorado River its instructions. The thing is Beethoven's Ninth Symphony in stone and magic light.  J.B. Priestly




If you have a moment, take five minutes and sketch an experience you have had in a national park where you sensed God was present. If not a national park, maybe a state or county park, or simply an experience in a natural spot.  (No judgment on the drawing abilities!)

How did you know God was present?

This week, think of a place that is sacred to you -- even in our cities there are parks and such where people gather. How well do you know that place? What lives there? What creatures visit regularly? Give it a name. Go there if possible. Is there anything different since the last time you visited this place? Notice textures, smells, sounds, movements ...  Ask yourself: Is God here?

Consider the story of creation as found in Genesis 1:1-25.  If you have a chance to watch the PBS Series The National Parks: America's Best Idea, consider the following questions in relation to what you saw and to your experiences of nature.

• What did you notice about the film?
• Were there parts that you found moving or provocative?
• Were there parts that bothered you?
• Did you see aspects of the creation stories in the film?
• Does God love and value all aspects of creation? What about those that cause harm or bring disease?
• Did God create the non-human creation solely for our human benefit or does it have a purpose beyond us?
• Why did God create beauty? What purpose does it serve?
• Why is it important that the national parks are accessible to all, regardless of class, ethnicity, and religion?

Consider this statement by writer Dayton Duncan:  I think that deep in our DNA is this embedded memory of when we were not separated from the rest of the natural world, that we were part of it. The Bible talks about the Garden of Eden as that experience that we had at the beginnings of our dimmest memories as a species. And so when we enter a park, we're entering a place that has been ... like it once was. And we cross the boundary and suddenly we're no longer masters of the natural world. We're part of it.... We've come back to a place that is where we came from.
Do you agree that we have within us an "embedded memory" of the Garden of Eden and that in the national parks "we've come back to a place that is where we came from?" What does this say about our relationship to the rest of creation?


Consider the psalmist's words (104:1-5):  Bless the Lord, O my soul. O Lord my God, you are very great. You are clothed with honor and majesty, wrapped in light as with a garment. You stretch out the heavens like a tent, you set the beams of your chambers on the waters, you make the clouds your chariot, you ride on the wings of the wind, you make the winds your messengers, fire and flame your ministers. You set the earth on its foundations,m so that is shall never be shaken.

(The above materials are from session 1 in resources produced by Earth Ministry.)