Planting New Creation

This morning's reading included an excerpt from Isaiah 41 that captured my attention and imagination. A vision of the new creation planted right here in our broken, decaying, parched Earth. God healing the Earth to provide for all of its inhabitants. Not just those that can afford it. No more needy, poor, or thirsty. Earth healed to provide for every human's need. There will be no doubt about whose hands replanted and re-created the new Earth--the ultimate Gardener. And while we wait, we're invited to return to our Eve and Adamic job description again--cultivate and steward creation. To learn from Jesus how to live in this new world. Or as Paul describes, be good citizens of this recreated world. What are you planting? What are you tending?

"The poor and the needy seek water, but there is none;

their tongues are parched with thirst.

I will answer them.

I am the Lord, the God of Israel. I will not abandon them.

I will open rivers on the barren heights, and springs in the middle of the plains.

I will turn the desert into a pool

and dry land into springs.

I will plant cedar, acacia, myrtle, and olive trees in the wilderness.

I will put juniper, elm, and cypress trees together in the desert.

so that all may see and know,

consider and understand,

that the hand of the Lord has done this,

the Holy One of Israel has created it."

-Isaiah 41:17-20