Sabbath rest for Creation?

COVID-19 has changed so much already, hasn't it? Nothing seemingly is back to normal (ok, well, maybe politics). One thing that I've noticed the world over has been something people wouldn't think of normally. However, over the last few months, I began seeing reports of wildlife walking through towns in Europe, of other animals expanding their ranges in North America and Asia. I saw before and after pictures of massive cities in Asia that used to be choked with pollution in which no single person had ever seen the blue sky. Rivers and waterways in Europe, such as in Venice, were so clear, people could see the algae growing, or fish returned to the rivers once desolate of fish.

One thing COVID has done, for those who "have eyes to see, and ears to hear", is that "creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. (Romans 8:19-23).

Though COVID has been incredibly painful and difficult for millions of people, and suffering more than we care to even think about, maybe a single encouragement to us can be that much of Creation has had a break from the effects of humankind's greed and selfishness. Creation has had a Sabbath Rest from our activities--I think it was overdue for a few hundred years... We have not cared for creation the way we have been called to by our God. To me, that is an added sadness to this time of COVID, since it has brought the product of our sins to light: all the pollution and lack of stewardship of what is supposed to shout glories to God!

Maybe, just maybe, we can look at the beauty that has come about from the invisible or unknown parts of God's creation during these last few months, and take some practical steps to be more careful in how we live, stewarding all the things God has given us in His creation, as we live for Him each day. What do you think? I hope you agree.

Spruce Flat Falls, GSMNP, TN