Reflection on Psalm 8

Psalm 8

It doesn't take much effort to see how creation speaks of order. Look at any plot of land or pond or meadow or forest. Things are always changing...there is harmony and conflict...new life, growth, reproduction and death... Even following dire natural occurences of fire, water, wind or quaking earth, the surroundings will eventually return to the order and growth of new life. It may take decades, but it will happen. I saw it happen on a moutainside -- in the mid-1970's a canyon outside Missoula Mt. burned to the ground... by the 1980's it was alive with meadow grass and wild flowers... The trees are there again...although not as majestic (yet)as before the fire.

Yes...creation does have a way of moving on in accordance with the surrounding conditions and the unfolding of time.

It is different in modern civilization -- We humans can "create" in ways that are, sometimes, just a little less than God. We reorder topography and water flow. We establish structures where the natural conditions say "no!"

Along with those creative privileges comes the responsibility to care for maintaining and sustaining good order. With our technologically advanced building supplies, if a city, bridge or roadway is levelled by a natural occurence, we have to participate in clean up before the region can be renewed. We have the capacity to create substances that elude decomposition (think of cigarette butts and stainless steel...or glass) The more adept we have become at creation, the more creative we have needed to become at recycling and removal of substances that have outlived their utilitarian purpose.

These thoughts, placed along the words of Psalm 8, move me into a deeper appreciation of my own participation in creating. How do I fit into the vast web of all that lives and moves during the same span of years granted to ME?

Do I work with elements or situations that move things towards order? or do I leave a wake of chaos?

Do I allow things or situations that are given to me to "abide" so that their purpose may unfold over time... or am I impatient, trying to take control over the way things might develop... I think of that quote from Friedman: "You can't make a bean plant grow more quickly by pulling on it"

Do I generally take responsibility for "clean up" when the human "stuff" around me is in disarray for one reason or another? This would include material things, of course... But the relational "stuff" is more elusive. When communications between people tangle, unravel or break it takes time (and intentionality) to discover how order can return.

I need to look at the "mess" and discover what parts can be reclaimed...
what parts need to dissolve (die),
where does space need to be cleared so that the seeds of new life can germinate
where do I need to actively cultivate?
where do I need to patiently abide?

These are just the beginning thoughts of the first hours of this day.... I can't help but say, again,

O Lord...how majestic is your name... who am I that you would care so much for me...and for what I may do or not do today? I give thanks for your hand at the small of my back guiding my steps... I pray that the steps I take and the words I speak will nourish the goodness of all that I encounter. Forgive me when I stumble or go off track... Amen!