Day Twenty-Six: Our Well-being Involves the Non-human as well as Human Worlds

Psalm 150 says “let everything that breathes praise God!” Holistic and adventurous spirituality embraces all creation and sees God’s presence in all things. God’s omnipresence means that God is inspiring and energizing the non-human as well as human worlds. We are called to heal the earth, not just human relationships.

Romans 8 proclaims that “creation” groans in pain as it awaits the healing that comes through divine-human partnership. Our wholeness and the wholeness of creation are intimately related. When we share in God’s healing of creation, we find healing for our own lives. In sharing in the process of planetary healing, we can celebrate with all creation:
Praise God, sun and moon;
praise God, all you shining stars!
Praise God, you highest heavens,
and you waters above the heavens…
Mountains and all hills
fruit trees and all cedars!
Wild animals and all cattle,
Creeping things and flying birds!…
Young men and women alike.
old and young together! (Psalm 148:3-4, 9-10, 12)

Experience your connection with all creation, human and non-human as you live with the following affirmations:
I experience God in the voices of the earth.
I listen for God in the cries of the creation.
I am God’s partner in healing the earth.

Throughout the day, look for the divine in your encounters with the non-human world. Make a commitment to a “green” lifestyle through greater mindfulness regarding your use of non-renewable resources. Perhaps, lower your thermostat, bring reusable bags to the market, recycle plastic and paper products, and decrease your carbon footprint.

Bruce Epperly is a theologian, spiritual guide, healing companion, retreat leader and lecturer, and author of nineteen books, including Holy Adventure: 41 Days of Audacious Living; God’s Touch: Faith, Wholeness, and the Healing Miracles of Jesus; and Tending to the Holy: The Practice of the Presence of God in Ministry. He has taught at Georgetown University, Wesley Theological Seminary, Claremont School of Theology, and Lancaster Theological Seminary. He is currently theologian in residence at St. Peter’s United Church of Christ in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He can be reached at [email protected]