Lent Devotional: RestoreSample

Restore: Restorative economy

What does it mean for God to be restoring creation? Are we thinking that things need to be restored to their original wild state, as it was in the Garden of Eden?

Maybe the answer to this is both yes and no.

No – we’re not going to forego all technology and get back to a wild and untamed creation. That would be impossible.

But also yes – it is God’s plan to see the relationship between creation and humans restored to what it was intended to be in Eden.

This is what Jesus has enabled – a restoration and reconciling of all relationships, and what ALL creation is eagerly waiting for. In Romans 8, we understand that by being in Christ we can now be part of the restoration of God’s original and glorious plan, where we rule creation as God’s image bearers. This is not a negative kind of rule – think about how Jesus rules – with justice and as a servant King. That’s how we’re meant to rule, since we are made in God’s image.

Dear Lord, thank you for being the Restorer-in-Chief! And thank you for people who are doing so much to restore our relationship with creation; we pray that you bless them today. Please help me and show me ways to mend my own relationship with creation where it is broken. Amen.

Billie Anderson, Tearfund