Celebrate Creation's Beauty

 This week's reflection comes to us from Rachael Murtaugh, the Director of the Office of Sustainability at Mount Mercy.

Have you ever taken the time to look at a stained-glass window? I don’t mean a casual glance, but really look at it. The intricate pieces come together to form an image far beyond the potential of one, single piece. That is how we can look at the ecosystems of our planet too. Each species is unique like each piece of glass, and together they create an incredible system of interdependence and beauty. Just like that window, if you start to remove pieces, you eventually destroy the beautiful image.

Our planet has seen extinction before. It is a natural process where a species cannot adapt to changes in the environment. When this happens naturally, another species usually fills is role in the ecosystem. The glass pieces shift, but the overall picture does not change much. This is not what is happening now. Today we are experiencing a rate of extinction never before seen in the history of our home. It is also unprecedented that one species, one shard of glass, should be responsible for the shattering of so many others. Like rocks being hurled through our window; climate change, poaching, deforestation, habitat destruction, and pollution are punching holes in our beautiful picture faster than we ever imagined.

When was the last time you spent a moment to get out away from your screen and cozy walls? To get out in nature, even in the cold, silence your phone, and simply be still? Breathe in the quietude and listen. Only when we immerse ourselves in nature can we appreciate the intricacy of how each piece of glass fits together. Only then can we see the beauty of our world and desire to protect it. Why not celebrate the beauty of creation March 3^rd, and celebrate World Wildlife Day? Find ways to celebrate at Official website of UN World Wildlife Day or maybe schedule time to visit a local park or donate to a wildlife rehab center. Together, we can come together to care for Creation.