Lent Devotional: RestorationChikamu

Signs of spring are popping up a little earlier every year. We see this in the leaves and flowers that seek to burst and bloom ever sooner, only to be bitten by a late frost. Our climate, and our world, is changing.

At Tearfund, we see the impact of the changing climate on people living in poverty. They often face more frequent storms, droughts, and floods, which destroy homes, crops and livestock. And we know this does not reflect God's good design for his creation.

In Matthew 6:10, Jesus teaches us to pray, ‘your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven’.

At the heart of this prayer is a sense that the earth, and everyone in it, matters – that’s why we long for the will of God to be done here.

It’s a big question: what is the will of God? In scripture, we learn of his ongoing restoration story for all creation. This story began in a garden (Genesis 2) and will play out for eternity in a garden city (Revelation 22). God spoke into life a world of perfect harmony – between himself, humankind, and the rest of creation. But that peace was broken when sin entered the world.

The climate is just one of the ways we see this brokenness, with pollution and biodiversity crises combined to threaten the air, land, water, plants, and animals that the Creator loves and we all rely on. Creation is groaning. How do we respond?

Churches at the heart of change

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In our work with communities around the world, we see examples every day of the church being a powerful change agent. Churches and communities amid this crisis are innovating solutions, such as farming techniques that produce more food and reduce carbon emissions.

Explore ways you and your church community can also play your part in caring for the whole of creation in our new Restorative Revolution Bible studies.

Although it takes courage, knowing we may not reap the harvest of this work in our lifetime, we can follow Jesus’ example of love and sacrifice, knowing we’re investing in future generations.

Reflect

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• Where do you long to see restoration in creation?
• What small steps can you take to care better for God’s creation?
• How can your church community partner with God to see his kingdom come in creation?

Pray

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Creator God,

Thank you that I can be confident of your love for us and your restoration plan for the whole of creation - for the Earth and your people.

Thank you that peace and wholeness are possible because of the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

As you once sent your son to the earth, please help your church to be your witness in this world.

Where I feel disconnected from creation, would you teach me more about the world you made?

When I feel overwhelmed by the extent of global poverty, would you give me hope and courage to see more of your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven?

Amen.

With every blessing,

Julia Kendal

Julia is a Senior Policy Advisor with Tearfund’s Global Advocacy team.