NORMAN — One of my favorite texts from the Bible is from the book of Psalms (96: 10 – 13) “The Lord reigns… let the heavens rejoice, Let the earth be glad, let the seas resound and all that is in it; Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy, they will sing before the Lord for he comes, he comes to judge the earth.”
I think Bible readers and those who don’t read the Bible may be asking questions about that in ways they didn’t ask before Hurricane Sandy came ashore. Our hearts go out to the victims, and I hope that financial support for additional help is following close behind. My hope is that a new sense of “community” may be born from this tragedy. It often has in the past history of our country.
The Bible constantly challenges us to care for the earth. Perhaps Job 12:7-10 reminds us best, “But ask the animals, and they will teach you; or birds of the air and they will tell you; or speak to the earth and it will teach you; or let the fish of the sea inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this. In (God’s) hands are the life of every creature and the breath of all humankind.”
I’m a believer in global warming, and I believe the science that points to “Sandy” being encouraged by the warming of the ocean. Meteorologists are now outlining the reasons for this massive storm and educating us as to the many reasons it occurred. Long term studies are confirming the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere because of human activity. This evidently causes the earth to warm and the oceans to become more acidic, promoting conditions conducive to violent weather.
My UCC Church believes that God is still speaking and that the spirit of God resides in us all. I take comfort in that because I believe that means we can and will find a way to work in “community” again to solve the problem. I’ve been reading about CCS, a technology now being perfected to prevent large quantities of carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere from the overuse of fossil fuel. This process collects it and then transports it to a storage site and is already being piloted in Argentina. And it’s being supported in part through a newly created UK government-backed Green Investment Bank — a new bank created to accelerate private sector investment in the UK’s transition to a green economy. It’s a sign of hope.
The key is whether or not people will decide to work with one another for the good of all. Our politicians will do this when they believe it’s what the people want. Do you want a solution that displays genuine caring for the earth? We’ve been through a strenuous election process that has totally divided us. God reminds us of “community.” Will we listen and take action in time? We’ve now elected our president. Try and imagine what a community, not divided, could do to preserve a future for our nation; and a home for us and those who come after.
Listen. God is speaking.
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