Scripture: Psalms 8 

“Lord, Your name is so great and powerful! People everywhere see Your splendor. Your glorious majesty streams from the heavens, filling the earth with the fame of Your name!” (TPT) 

Purpose 

To participate in service projects that connect us to the community and give us the opportunity to honor God by being caregivers of His creation. 

Decorations 

Place live wildflowers in vases and use as centerpieces. 

Program Ideas 

• Visit a nursery and take a tour. Purchase flowers or seeds to create window boxes.  
• Invite a speaker to share the benefits of gardening.  
• Research and share the benefits of therapeutic horticulture. 

Service Project 

• Option 1: Look for a community garden and volunteer your time. Commit to working a plot for a senior who enjoys gardening but is no longer able to physically do so. 
• Option 2: Contact a senior home that will allow the group to bring flower boxes and place them outside the windows of the residents. Set up a schedule for the group to return periodically to care for the boxes replacing flowers as necessary. 

Creation Caretakers 

Read Psalms 8.

Most of us have had the experience of walking or hiking through the hills, of staring at the vastness of space and being overwhelmed to the point of breathlessness at the resplendent artistry of our Creator. At those moments we often feel closer to God than at other times. Our faith feels endless because more than ever we know that there is a real God. We know that the God we serve is the Master and Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  

Psalms 8 is the perfect praise for God as the Creator. The Passion Translation describes the magnificence of our Lord and the praise and honor we give Him. “Lord, Your name is so great and powerful! People everywhere see Your splendor. Your glorious majesty streams from the heavens, filling the earth with the fame of Your name!” (Ps. 8:1, TPT). Praise tells the world that the powerful name of God is worthy of honor because of all He has done, made and given.  

Psalms 8 is not just a recognition of the praise we give to God and the honor that we give to His name, but it is also a directive from God to us. We have been placed and positioned to protect, nurture and serve His creation. We are creation caretakers. Have we done a good job following His instructions? 

Most people acclimate well to fixing the environment and taking ownership of the mess we have collectively made of our planet. It takes a bit more courage and honesty to acknowledge that we have failed in our assignment as caregivers of God’s greatest creation—people. That includes you and me and the challenge to put others first.  

Just looking at the state of humanity in 2020 might make us shudder with disappointment. We have failed as the light bearers, beacons in the dark and as guiding lights back to God. But we indeed have a second chance to get it right and to do our part. Is it really that hard to start loving all of God’s creation? We need to start and pay attention when a person has a need, and help them. What will we do with the second chance?  

Prayer 

Heavenly Father, I am sorry for not always being who You designed me to be. I thank You Lord for every opportunity to shine Your light. It is always my prayer that I have a chance to demonstrate Your love. Enrich me, Oh Lord, with Your power and love. I want to affect Your creation in a way that is positive and cause everything to grow. Help me to be ever mindful of Your greatness and to remember that You made me in Your image. And when the road gets dark, light my path so that I can be a light to others. May God strengthen me so that I will be a proper caregiver of Your creation.