Connections

"...power over the fish, the birds..."

"Then God said, 'And now we will make human beings; they will be like us and resemble us. They will have power over the fish, the birds, and all animals, domestic and wild, large and small.' So God created human beings, making them to be like himself. He created them male and female, blessed them, and said, 'Have many children, so that your descendants will live all over the earth and bring it under their control. I am putting you in charge of the fish, the birds, and all the wild animals.'" (Genesis 1:26-28)

Last week I made a quick stop at a local pond and began to walk the perimeter. I paused on the path when I noticed that a pair of geese had occupied the same nest I had watched the previous year. I was the only hiker on the trail so the male stood patiently to the side watching me intently. After I stood quietly for awhile only about twenty feet from the nest the female decided I was safe enough, so she stood up to "feather her nest" a little more. It was then I was able to see that at least one or two eggs were already incubating beneath her. I still don't know what got into me, but when she sat back on the eggs I kept my camera focused on her and began to hum a lullaby.

Then it happened... The goose cocked her head at me, clearly interested in and responding to the song I was humming.

I'm used to my dogs responding to me, but I've only seen geese as critters that run away from me. Suddenly this one was "interested." As strange as it may sound, it was a simple gesture, but a sacred moment. Somehow that turn of her head sent a chill down my spine, reminding me that we share a sacred connection with life - not a connection we had made, but rather, a connection with which we had been endowed by our Creator and suddenly rediscovered.

We are not simply created for connection or to connect - we are created in connection. Our sacred connections don't have to be made, they have to be re-discovered, celebrated, and cherished. It makes a big difference in our lives if we live basically as loners who tolerate connections when necessary versus creatures of God seeking to discover and cherish our connectedness. We'll never succeed at getting connection-tolerating folks to care for one another and our environment if we simply sell it as something we're supposed to do, better do, or have to do. We first have to help folks discover their basic sacred connectedness.

I care because I feel the loving connection with my God who created me in connection and has sustained me in those connections with comfort, forgiveness, and hope. Sacred connection comes first - then caring that reaches forth from connection. Look for the connections... Listen for the Spirit of God to speak to you of sacred connectedness - even if it comes from an inquisitive goose...

I pray that God will continue to speak to me of sacred connections. I need the chills... How about you?

Blessings and Peace,
Gary
Pastor, Sand Hill United Methodist Church
Boaz, West Virginia

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