Psalm 9
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6:11-12
11 Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;
let the sea resound, and all that is in it.
12 Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them;
let all the trees of the forest sing for joy.
Romans 8:22-23
22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.
As I read through the Romans 8 passage I had two questions. Firstly what does this reading have to do with Frontier Services Sunday? Secondly why was creation groaning in the first century AD? After much reading I find out that Paul was not talking about the destruction of God’s creation (which is how this reading is often used today), instead he was talking about the Garden of Eden not being available for his people. The groaning was the result of the original sin where Adam and Eve had to leave the Garden of Eden. He was also talking about the waiting for a New Heaven and a New Earth which Paul often wrote about in his letters. The waiting for the New Heaven and New Earth continues and the result of the original sin is still with us today.
The passage from Romans is in contrast to the passage from the Psalms which was about rejoicing over God’s creation. Today’s world has changed a lot since the time of Paul with more floods, fires, droughts and storms than ever before. The cause of this change comes under the general heading of climate change. The cause of climate change is the many things that humans have done to the environment.
I found it interesting that this reading is being used for Frontier Services Sunday as it not really about the care and support that the Frontier Services Ministers provide in some of the remotest parts of Australia. However as I continued to think about this I have come to realise that the floods, fires, droughts and storms have had a major effect on the farmers of this country. They have lost entire crops as well as their cattle sheep – their only source of income in most cases. Frontier Services stands with these farmers and provides the care and support that they need to get through these really tough times and helps the farmers to see a future time when they will be able to earn a living again.
The groaning of creation continues, climate changes continue to change the climate and land around us. It is the ministry of Frontier Services that is there providing care and support to people and driving thousands of kilometres to do so. Let us celebrate Frontier Services Sunday and show our support for the important work that they do.
PRAYER: today we celebrate the work of Frontier Services. They provide care and support to many people in rural Australia. Let us remember the people that Frontier Services look after and the many hurdles that they face on an ongoing basis. Let us remember the ministers who work for Frontier Services as they travel hundreds of miles between groups of people. Amen.
Shirley Bowers, Lay Preacher