Here are some of the things we named during the sermon time on Sunday, as we looked at the actions of God.
Forming the man from the dust of the ground: potter, artist.
Breathing into his nostrils the breath of life: paramedic, lifesaver.
Planted a garden: landscape designer.
Placed the man there, put the man in the garden to work it and take care of it: manager, human resources head.
Made all kinds of trees grow from the ground: agronomist, plant breeder, gardener.
Commanded the man to eat from any of the trees, but not the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Leader, teacher, policy designer.
‘It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a suitable helper.’ Matchmaker. Parent. Dating service operator.
He formed out of the ground all the wild animals and brought them to the man. Experimenter, ecologist, veterinarian.
No suitable helped was found. Psychologist.
Caused the man to fall into a deep sleep. Anaesthetist.
Took one of the man’s ribs and closed it up with flesh. Surgeon.
Made a woman from the rib. Medical technologist. Reconstructive surgeon.
Brought her to the man. Proud parent.
There are so many different jobs that God does, to make this creation, and to bring us into community. Those jobs are still being carried out, by people like us, in varied ways. We each have our ways in which we make things, take care of creation, and serve other people.
Allow that richness to work in your life.
Let the richness of God also be at work in your life. Take time to enjoy creation. Take time to be in awe of what is all around you. Go to your special places. If you can’t physically get there, recall the memories.
Treasure the ways that you care for and serve the earth – from your gardening or farming, dealing with rubbish and waste, local land care, recycling or other practices.
Pastor Michael Mayer