Our pastor this week was giving us a pep talk on stewardship. He used 1 Corinthians 4:1 to remind us of how we are responsible for evangelizing others around us, but the more I reflected on this verse, the more I realized the importance of our stewardship from another perspective.
1 Cor 4:1: "This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God."
What are the mysteries of God? Of course, there’s the Trinity, the power of the Resurrection, and Heaven just name a few. But what if we looked at the mysteries of God from nature’s perspective?
There’s the universe, our galaxy, our solar system, our planet, our continent, our country, our state, our city, our neighborhood, our family, and our children. Why do I consider these mysteries?
The Big Bang theory and other “universe starter” theories all culminate around one idea: that at one moment in time “energy happened” and when it cooled, we got electrons, protons, etc. The universe came from a single point and expanded from there. Mysteries abound in this application of science since no scientist can tell you where the “energy” came from.
The fact that we are even here is fascinating. The fact that our planet can sustain life is amazing. The fact that scientists believe there are between 5 and 100 million species of life here on earth is awe-inspiring (source: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20109284/ ).
The consideration that human life starts with the sharing of two independent DNA samples that are immediately combined to create a brand new human is unfathomable. What’s even more incredible is that within that new one cell, everything a new human being needs to make them a unique being is there; and when that human being dies, it will be immediately extinct.
In my last posting we touched on the mysteries of this physical 4% of the known universe, but what other mysteries of God exist? Can you think of one? Leave a comment and we can share with each other.
Right now, I can think of a biggie! God loves us each individually for who we are and that He knows how many hairs are on our heads. That is a mystery to sink your teeth into! The mystery of that kind of love is so encompassing, that we never really grasp what Divine Love means.
What does stewardship mean in relation to these mysteries? It means that we are to grow and cultivate those around us by educating them with this reality. Yet how often do we take the time to even mention the words “God loves you” to others? What are we afraid of?
A steward’s job is a very important one. It means that we are entrusted with the care of life around us. How many times to we see a piece of trash on the ground, but don’t pick it up? Are we being good stewards with respect to our own earth? What about when we see someone abusing themselves or others? Do we take the time to say, “You are special to God, take care of yourself and your family.” Usually we believe that it’s none of our business. However, if we are stewards, then every human life is sacred and loved by God.
I feel Colorado’s call right now is to share the truth that Amendment 48 brings to light: “The term ‘Person’ or ‘Persons’ shall include any human from the time of fertilization.” Visit the Colorado for Equal Rights website to learn more. (http://www.coloradoforequalrights.com/ )
Stewardship is huge responsibility not to be taken lightly. As Christians, not only do we have a duty fight for life, but we have the responsibility to cultivate it. This means caring for human life, for the earth and our galaxy. Life is a mystery! Cultivate it! Love is a mystery. Share it!
Next week, what it means to be stewards of the universe. See you then.
7 comments:
If I took the exact amount of water - what 98% or something? And the exact right mixture of chemicals that comprise a human body - I cannot make a human body. Why not? We can manipulate genes and cells, (well, not me personally) to make clones and little babies, but those cells and genes are already alive.
We cannot create life. That is a mystery.
The fact that God holds the entire universe in the breadth of His palm and still cares passionately about me - mystery!
That plants eat sunshine - mystery! Sure we can explain the scientific processes of photosynthesis, but still... eating sunshine? Mysterious.
Great post! I love the mysteries of our world. That's why I am interested in crop circles, Nessie, and other unexplained things out there. I love knowing that God has all kinds of things going on that we just can't grasp.
Are you willing to punish a woman with the death penalty or life in prison for aborting a non-viable ectopic pregnancy? That's what Amendment 48 would require, for even that fertilized egg would be a person with full legal rights -- and to kill it would be murder under Colorado law.
Amendment 48 is deeply, profoundly anti-life. For the details, read "Amendment 48 Is Anti-Life: Why It Matters That a Fertilized Egg Is Not a Person," an by issue paper by Ari Armstrong and myself. It's available for download at:
http://www.SecularGovernment.us/docs/a48.pdf
Sorry, I should have made that a link:
http://www.SecularGovernment.us/docs/a48.pdf
Great post, Loretta! The human body is a mystery in so many ways. It is amazing how we work. And your post reminded me that I am a steward of my own body. It is difficult for me to take that stewardship seriously and do what's right for me. Makes me think....
Dear Diana:
Thank you for your information relating to Amendment 48 and your work. I read your link.
The tone of the article seems forced and scared. I understand where you are coming from, but when we deal with such issues we need to evaluate facts. Ectopic pregnancies account for 2% of pregnancies and most of those pregnancies resolve themselves with out an other complications. (Source http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/pregnancy/ectopic-pregnancy-4259.htm)
It sounds like you are very worried about abortion becoming illegal, but that is not what Amendment 48 says. The wording is very particular for a reason. It does not outlaw abortion, nor does it change the use of contraceptives including the pill. We have Roe vs. Wade at a national level and that has not changed in over 30 years. South Dakota recently passed a similar bill and it did nothing to Roe vs. Wade or contraceptive use by couples in that state.
Biological facts are facts. As soon as the egg and the sperm meet, the union of that meeting is a unique person...with all the DNA that person will ever need. Nothing changes that fact. You refer to biological facts in your paper, yet you have given no references. I know you have a philosophy background and I a science, so let me give you some links that might help with your understanding of how DNA and cell biology work:
DNA: The Thread of Life by Frank Wilcox; Molecular Biology of the Gene by James D. Watson; and this link: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/bookdescription.cws_home/709043/description#description
The more educated we are, the better decisions we can make. All these references give the facts that you are looking for and may even help you better expand your document.
At any rate, I am a little worried that you are nervous about losing the right to have an abortion. Many times fear drives us to do unhealthy things and I believe that abortion is unhealthy for the woman and deadly for her child. My question to you is: Why do you think women NEED abortion?
Thanks for your comments!
Loretta
Oops! I did the same thing:
Here’s the link to planned parenthood on ectopic pregnancies here.
And here is the anatomy reference.
Excellent post. We need to speak out for the unborn and the elderly.
This is one the many reasons I am voting for McCain/Palin. They live out their beliefs. Even when Palin knew she was having a down syndrome child, she didn't abort him. Now that her daughter is unwed and pregnant, they are allowing her to take responsibility and supporting her as she works it out with the father of her child. This is faith in action.
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