The North Shore of Lake Superior in northern Minnesota is a majestic place. Each ripple in the water, each granite rock and pebble, each leaf and pine branch blowing in the breeze speaks God’s word. The powerful waterfalls and rapids, the immense sky and hills, the majestic cliffs and the mysterious caves and tunnels are evidence of God’s creative greatness.
Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” —Psalm 8:1, NIV
People gather to be married on the rocky shore of Lake Superior. Within such a magnificent chapel in nature, they commit themselves, with the help of God, to a lifetime of love and caregiving for each other.
Standing on the rocks, and walking the shady paths, with birds soaring in the sky, fish swimming in the waters and a multitude of animals living within the forest, a person’s heart and lips can only praise the glory of God.
In Psalm 8:3, we’re praying and confessing that God has set everything in place on earth and in the heavens. Then in verse 6 we acknowledge that God has even placed us as caregivers over all of God’s creation, as we also care for one another. God has made us his caregivers.
When Adam and Eve were the first caregivers in the Garden of Eden, they disobeyed one day, causing consequences that resulted in nature itself sometimes rebelling against humankind. As today’s caregivers, let us contemplate how we are doing now and what we can do in the future to preserve this majestic creation …
- of water
- of minerals and rock
- of plants and trees
- of landscape and soil
- of air and atmosphere
- of sea and animal life
- and our brothers and sisters in Christ
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit: Lift our awareness and level of praise for your grandeur. Teach us also how to care for each part of your creation. Help us care for one another and be examples of your character and love. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
About Pastor Karl Kruse: I joined Presbyterian Homes & Services in 2023 as the campus pastor at Timber Hills in Inver Grove Heights, Minn. Prior to coming to PHS, I served as staff chaplain with Walker Methodist Senior Living. My wife Heather and I live in Apple Valley, and we are members of Hosanna Church in Lakeville, where we both volunteer in various aspects ministry. I love traveling and have currently been to 47 of the 50 states, as well as 20 other countries.
The Light for the Way series provides staff with an examination of a biblical reading to deepen our focus on scripture. Thank you for engaging with this series as we seek wisdom through prayer and reflection as a Christian Ministry.
