This 🙌 Yes & Amen. I love this so much & couldn’t agree more. We think apocalypse means the end, but it’s an improper understanding of the word. The word itself means unveiling. Fun fact: EuCALYPTus is from the Greek word Kalyptós - which means covered. And, so A-Kalyptós-Apocalypse-means an UNcovering. Unveiling. Or ... Revelation. It’s not about the end of things or the end of this world, it’s about the unveiling / revelation that God is restoring all things. (And we can part of that here & now) The Apocalypse isn’t scary. “Apocalyptic literature” just uses fanciful imagery to describe something that’s actually very beautiful.
I've been mulling over this idea since your previous post, soliciting thoughts as to what makes us imagine the perfected order of things.
I was thinking about it because I wanted to comment something about how we've talked about how good things come from God, and learning is good, there's joy to discovery. I couldn't figure out how to say it and my day got busy so I had to leave that thought for another time. But now seeing this essay, the time is now, I think!
You say, "The end implies there is nothing more to learn". And--well, I am trying to reconcile that with my understanding (Catholic tho it may be) of the Glorification and Resurrection. Learning is good, surely at the end of all things, in the perfected order, there will be learning, just as there will be rain and sunshine in proper proportion, each perfected in their own right. Perhaps to be a student of God and be able to ask Him questions directly is how that would look--I can't imagine spending an eternity with God and running out of questions to ask.
And I think that speaks exactly to your point: Seeing God in all things reveals both his infinity and his close, personal care. Yes, we should take care of our surrounds with love and care because they are ours, but we should also devote that love and care because they are ours *through Him*.
Thank you for this thoughtful essay and ever-fruitful posts!
Jul 14, 2022·edited Jul 14, 2022Liked by S.E. Reid
In love. for love. By love. Our relationship with Mother Earth is a two way street. We are her stewards but our bodies belong to her. She is alive. She is not an it, created as a dead weight for us to exploit. She is a being. BTW I expanded on the thoughts I shared last post and gave you a shoutout on my page :)
Milkweed on median strips
And people stop who refuse to spray chemlawn
Milkweed in yards
And people who say to pesticides - BE GONE
And welcoming all creates, in balance and in love
We create a garden for a bright and love-filled dawn
The Squirrel talked to the bird this morning
And the cat was gentle with the toddler who pulled her tale down the street
And although I was saddened to see fewer bees after the lady down the street did pesticide her lawn
I saw that her grass looked drab and withdrawn
And I so hope soon all we realize beauty can be sown without causing harm
And loving one another as our own selves
We can go on
And spread kindness and to help Creation's restoration along
Sing a song
Dance your feet
Bless with world and all you eat
And when you tweet, if you do
Question all those who claim to stand for freedom
Use your discern to see through
For all is not as it seems here on substack or twitter or elsewhere that could make a person bitter
But love will prevail and we will set sail
Not abandoning the earth, but giving her new birth
On winds of sovereignty and unity and love
We will be as peaceful as a dove
This 🙌 Yes & Amen. I love this so much & couldn’t agree more. We think apocalypse means the end, but it’s an improper understanding of the word. The word itself means unveiling. Fun fact: EuCALYPTus is from the Greek word Kalyptós - which means covered. And, so A-Kalyptós-Apocalypse-means an UNcovering. Unveiling. Or ... Revelation. It’s not about the end of things or the end of this world, it’s about the unveiling / revelation that God is restoring all things. (And we can part of that here & now) The Apocalypse isn’t scary. “Apocalyptic literature” just uses fanciful imagery to describe something that’s actually very beautiful.
I've been mulling over this idea since your previous post, soliciting thoughts as to what makes us imagine the perfected order of things.
I was thinking about it because I wanted to comment something about how we've talked about how good things come from God, and learning is good, there's joy to discovery. I couldn't figure out how to say it and my day got busy so I had to leave that thought for another time. But now seeing this essay, the time is now, I think!
You say, "The end implies there is nothing more to learn". And--well, I am trying to reconcile that with my understanding (Catholic tho it may be) of the Glorification and Resurrection. Learning is good, surely at the end of all things, in the perfected order, there will be learning, just as there will be rain and sunshine in proper proportion, each perfected in their own right. Perhaps to be a student of God and be able to ask Him questions directly is how that would look--I can't imagine spending an eternity with God and running out of questions to ask.
And I think that speaks exactly to your point: Seeing God in all things reveals both his infinity and his close, personal care. Yes, we should take care of our surrounds with love and care because they are ours, but we should also devote that love and care because they are ours *through Him*.
Thank you for this thoughtful essay and ever-fruitful posts!
In love. for love. By love. Our relationship with Mother Earth is a two way street. We are her stewards but our bodies belong to her. She is alive. She is not an it, created as a dead weight for us to exploit. She is a being. BTW I expanded on the thoughts I shared last post and gave you a shoutout on my page :)