When did we forget that? When did we as humans gloss over that part of the story? Way, way back, I think. Maybe we forgot about the goodness of nature at the same time that we decided to focus on the verse that says we humans get to “have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.” (Genesis 1:26) We like the idea of dominion. We decided it sounded a lot like “We can do whatever we want with the earth and all the other beings on it.” We decided it sounded like permission to use it all up. Which is odd, for a couple of reasons. First: because as the story continues in Genesis, it is very clear that we humans are not supposed to eat the other beings on this earth. “See, I have given you every plant....you shall have them for food.” (v. 29) We were all supposed to be vegetarians. Says it right there. Yet, our faith has rarely been known for featuring vegetarianism. But it’s Biblical. Says it right there. So, we really should not have thought that we could do whatever we wanted with these other beings with whom we share this earth. Second point: if everything is good; if everything has value; how did we ever translate “dominion over” into wasting resources, or eradicating species, or imposing ourselves on the world with no regard for how this very intricate system functions? Why did we ever think that enslaving Black people, or relegating indigenous people to reservations, or virtually exterminating the buffalo, or poisoning the ground with chemicals, or cutting down entire forests...why did we ever think those were good ideas? That they were worthwhile pursuits? We let the idea of dominion overshadow what the story of Creation tells us. That the earth and all that is in it, that all is good. That we are a part of creation, not outside of it or separate from it. And so, we have to change our thinking. And in some ways we have. In some ways we have reconsidered how we use chemicals, and what we mine or drill out of the earth, and how we get from home to school or work or church. In some ways. And yet....we know that the progress we have made, in learning to treat creation as our partner and not something we own, we know that that progress is not enough. Not enough to significantly reduce the effects of climate change. And not enough to help others enjoy the life that we here, in this space, enjoy. Lives without fear of having nothing to eat. Lives of choice. Ah ha! I can see the wheels turning in some of your minds: here she’s going to give her pitch on socialism again. And, to a certain extent, you’re right: because that’s what the disciples modeled in that passage from the Book of Acts. They shared what they had; they sold their stuff and gave to any who had need. (Acts 2:45) That is one way in which we could make sure that everyone has what they need. Pool our resources and share out when someone needs food, or shelter, or medical care. But it is not the only way. We could opt to build housing that could fit more people in smaller spaces, so they could actually afford to buy or rent those places. Like former Mayor Norm Rice of Seattle advocated 30 plus years ago. He suggested we form what he termed “urban villages” – where dwellings would be smaller; denser; and businesses would be formed within each “village” so you didn’t have to travel far for groceries, or for child care, or to get to your bank. Many communities are experimenting with ADU’s – additional dwelling units – to try to increase the amount of available, affordable housing within their boundaries. Portland, Oregon is now allowing people to put trailers in their driveways and use those as ADU’s. (Zoning prohibited such a choice earlier.) Builders will not opt to build more densely, or to build smaller homes on their own – they make more money when they build big, one-family homes – but as a society, we could choose to legislate such changes. We could choose to fund guaranteed income to all people below a certain income level. Studies have shown that such income dramatically reduces food insecurity; reduces the likelihood that those persons will become homeless; and improves people’s health. We can choose to limit how plastic is used: ask or require businesses to package their items in cardboard or paper instead of plastic. (Remember when crackers and cereal used to come in waxed paper and not plastic?) We can get more proactive, and stop buying items that are sold in plastic bottles and cartons. We can choose to leave “fast fashion” in the stores and buy clothes that are made of natural fabrics that will last. We can make a lot of choices in our lives, and for our collective life together, that would benefit the earth and all of us beings here on it. We just have to decide that those changes are worth it. Worth it, to promote the health of our earth. Worth it, to celebrate the good that God created. How are you going to make good choices, better choices, about how you live on this earth? How are you going to honor God and all of God’s creation? *The second day, when God separates the waters from the waters, placing the dome that becomes the Sky. The text does not say that God saw it and called it good. That’s because the people who first told this story of Creation remembered the story of the Great Flood; and they were not about to call the Sky good when from it had come such tremendous devastation.