I think of this practice as Ron talks about enviromental issues, as politicians declare their intentions and as church leaders make decisions to meet the demands of the moment. Consideration of the future too often seems minimal. We need to hear the voices of our children and their children when we rape the earth of its resources, perpetuate a debt burdened society and fail to shape a ministry that offers future generations the opportunity to worship and know God. Once again, the past can offer us invaluable wisdom as we look toward the future. Let's heed it!"When traditonal Iroquois held their council meetigs, they invoked this declaration: 'In our every deliberation we must consider the impact of our decisons in the next seven generations.' When a vote was taken, an equal vote was cast by one of the communitiy's members who would represent those who would be alive 150 years from now. There was a clear understanding that the decsions we make in the present have an impact for years to come." (Summer 2007 - page 15)
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
For the 7th Generation
In a recent Christians in Education article, I read the following:
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I first heard of this while at the Clergywomen's Consultation in Chicago. In fact, the Iroquois declaration formed the frame for one of the worship services, with voices of women in various life stages and places speaking for the generations. It was a moving service that provoked questions, thought and prayer.
Perhaps it is difficult, in part, to focus on seven generations into the future in that we, or I, have no sense of seven generations in the past. That is not intended to be an excuse for failing to protect the creation God has blessed us with and ordained that we should behave as stewards on behalf of God and God's future generations.
Yet how intimidating to consider ourselves responsible for the inheritance of the future generations seven times removed, Most of us are less than successful in preparing the inheritance for the next generation.
Perhaps, like the Iroquois, we need to adopt a broader view of life and history and our place in both. Jesus told us to be prepared at all times. Might that translate into an ongoing appreciation of the gift of creation and our responsiblity to preserve and protect it?
If as many people as those who understand that fragmenting their personal computers will inevitably lead to a fatal error and must, therefore, be defragged and optimized could also understand that fragmenting the biosphere also inevitably leads to a fatal error for all life, then, maybe, some immediate action towards protecting our planet could begin in earnest. If we take any more time to discuss whether or not there is a sickness before we address the symtoms, our patient will surely die. A dead planet on our permanent record will hardly bode well in the STEWARDSHIP department of judgement.
P.S. I empathize with the majority who adhere to the adage, "Look before you leap." Investigation is essential, but wisdom also dictates that "He who hesitates is lost." The two philosophies must be immediately processed and reconciled. Specifics rectified timely will usually prevent the need to discuss generalities. Our Earth home Creation needs for us to fully REPENT our sins against God's plan of stewardship. We must recognize and accept what we have done. We must express true sorrow and shame. We must understand our faith in God's plan well enough to be able to accept forgiveness and to see the need to never repeat those sins. Our Free Will comes from God,but Free Will and Free Wheelin' are not synonymous nor to be confused. We can't ride the world "rough shod" indeterminately. Eventually we have to expect a split hoof. For lack of a hoof, a horse was lost. For lack of a horse, a rider was lost. For lack of a rider, a message was lost. For lack of a message, a battle was lost. For lack of a battle, a war was lost......ad infinitum...Spiritus Sanctus
Conservation principles in Scripture and ancient text(s) are screaming out at us again. Their significance is even greater and magnified when we consider that at the time of these texts, one culture suffers for their failure to provide stewardship while their neighboring countries prospers. One country had the ability to affect it's land only. In our age, one country (specifically ours)has the ability to destroy the ecosystems of the globe by refusing to submit to God's directives. Texts are numerous from every early culture that recorded events either in oral or written traditions. Indian and Chinese written history abound with them. I have chosen as examples only a few the Bible.
Isaiah 24:1
Behold, the LORD maketh the earth empty, and maketh it waste, and turneth it upside down,
and scattereth abroad the inhabitants thereof.
The land shall be utterly emptied, and utterly spoiled: for the LORD hath spoken this word.
The earth mourneth and fadeth away, the world languisheth and fadeth away, the haughty people
of the earth do languish.
The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws,
changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.
Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate:
therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left.
The new wine mourneth, the vine languisheth, all the merryhearted do sigh.
There is a crying for wine in the streets; all joy is darkened, the mirth of the land is gone.
In the city is left desolation, and the gate is smitten with destruction.
When thus it shall be in the midst of the land among the people, there shall be as the shaking of an olive tree,
and as the gleaning grapes when the vintage is done.
They shall lift up their voice, they shall sing for the majesty of the LORD, they shall cry aloud from the sea.
Wherefore glorify ye the LORD in the fires, even the name of the LORD God of Israel in the isles of the sea.
And it shall come to pass, that he who fleeth from the noise of the fear shall fall into the pit; and he that cometh up
out of the midst of the pit shall be taken in the snare: for the windows from on high are open,
and the foundations of the earth do shake.
The earth is utterly broken down, the earth is clean dissolved, the earth is moved exceedingly.
The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof
shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again.
Isaiah 24:23
Then the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the LORD of hosts shall reign in mount Zion,
and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.
Leviticus 26:3
If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them;
Leviticus 26:4
Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase,
and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.
Leviticus 26:5
And your threshing shall reach unto the vintage, and the vintage shall reach
unto the sowing time: and ye shall eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely.
Leviticus 26:6
And I will give peace in the land, and ye shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid:
and I will rid evil beasts out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land.
Leviticus 26:14
But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these commandments;
Leviticus 26:19
And I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your heaven as iron,
and your earth as brass:
Leviticus 26:20
And your strength shall be spent in vain: for your land shall not yield her increase,
neither shall the trees of the land yield their fruits.
Leviticus 26:21
And if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me; I will bring seven times
more plagues upon you according to your sins.
Leviticus 26:22
I will also send wild beasts among you, which shall rob you of your children,
and destroy your cattle, and make you few in number; and your high ways shall be desolate.
Leviticus 18:25
And the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants.
Leviticus 18:26
Ye shall therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, and shall not commit any of these abominations;
neither any of your own nation, nor any stranger that sojourneth among you:
Leviticus 18:27
(For all these abominations have the men of the land done, which were before you, and the land is defiled;)
Leviticus 18:28
That the land spue not you out also, when ye defile it, as it spued out the nations that were before you.
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