I grew up in a very strict religious group, where God was portrayed as a harsh judge, ready to burn me in the “lake of fire” if I made any mistakes. Needless to say, this did not give me a lot of positive feelings toward the Divine. I grew up filled with anxiety and fear, because it seemed that I was often making mistakes.
Many years later, I live far away from where I grew up – both literally and figuratively.
This morning, as I sip my coffee (well, tea today), I am surrounded by beauty. It is summer in New England. The sun is coming up through the trees. So many shades of green. The crows who often visit me in the morning are calling to each other. They are probably hoping for some sunflower seeds. I’ll go inside and get some for them in a minute.
At this time of year, the plants include many shades of purple and pink, flowers of different sizes and shapes. A small insect walks across the path in front of me on his spindly legs. The Earth around me is a place of wonder. On mornings like this, I, too, feel like I am part of the wonderful Earth and the beauty of God’s creation.
In the creation story found in the Hebrew Bible (aka the “Old Testament”), God creates the Earth and all of the plant and animal life. God calls it all “very good.” At the end of this creative work, God makes humans. And then “God looked over all [God] had made, and saw that it was very good!” (Genesis 1:31) Let’s hear those words again: All that God had made was very good. Even us. Even you. Even me.
You and I are part of this amazing, beautiful world. We belong here. And it is very good.