Right-Sized by Creation

Sometimes, when we stand by the ocean, or stare out at the mountains, or look up into a sky full of stars, we are immediately “right-sized.” Like the Psalmist – we find ourselves gazing into the dark abyss and asking, “What are human beings that you are mindful of them?” But, sometimes, those wonder filled moments happen in our own yard.

Lessons from a Lizard

For instance, lizards. I remember one day when I was feeling a little grumpy for no reason. I walked down the stairs behind the Well house and a lizard scurried out onto the railing. He paused right in front of me, looked around, did a couple of those little pushups to show me that in the world of lizards, he was somebody, and then he scurried off again.

I’ve seen plenty of lizards, but there was just something about how confident and complete this one was—this tiny, self-contained green being, who knew nothing about anything that was going on in my grumpy little life, but who had its own life—its own issues and existence, joys and sorrows—a whole lizard world right outside our doorway. Indeed, what are human beings that you are mindful of us?

Our Place in the World

That gives a new perspective. God’s creation scurries about on our patio in all different sizes and species. Lizards. Butterflies. Hummingbirds. Owls. Trees. Bees. When I step outside, I am just one creature among many. And, I have my place in the world, and the lizard has her place in the world, and God created all of us—put us all here together—to live in peace and to learn from each other and to care about each other.

Caring as God Cares

When we are at our best, we do care and we take care. That’s what God did—for God so loved the WORLD. The world includes everything and everybody. In fact, Mark 16:15 says to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every living creature.” Or in the NIV version: “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.”

Preaching the Gospel to All Creation

That gives us options. If humans are troublesome for you, then preach the gospel to another creature. For instance, in 2018, National Geographic reported that straws are at the top of the list when it comes to litter, and straws are deadly to sea turtles—they eat them and it kills them. So, if you don’t know how to preach the gospel to your neighbor, start with the sea turtle—refuse the straw and take a walk on the wild side and drink directly from the cup. Whales have been known to wash up on the beach with bellies full of plastic. Why not preach the gospel to whales and stop using single use plastic bottles?

Each time we make a choice to be better stewards of our planet, we preach the gospel. Each time we consider our impact on our beautiful planet, we praise God. Each time we recycle, we offer a prayer of thanks to God. Each time we do our part to prevent suffering, or ease pain, we preach the gospel. It may seem like a small thing to refuse a straw or to recycle, but small things, like seeds, can grow into something magnificent. And, we never know what our efforts will bring to life. That’s why, at Well of Mercy, you will find us recycling, encouraging reusable water bottles, and honoring the land. We never know when the spirit will latch on to our labors, so we must try. We can’t expect the lizards to do everything.

Lea Slaton
Executive Director