The last chords of John Markwell’s harmonica drifted into the wind and only the sound of the waves lapping against the rocks remained. For a moment there was a sense of the Holy Spirit’s presence floating amongst the pines and cedars. Another summer of worship on the rocks had come to an end. Zoar Church in Tofte has been hosting Sunday morning worship near Father Baraga’s cross in Schroeder ever since 1969 when Pastor Roger Livdahl began the tradition.
I’ve only a little more than one summer under my belt, but the 8:00 a.m. worship time “on the rocks” has become by far my favorite. Some Sunday mornings the water is like glass as our voices reflect off its surface I think of Jesus sitting in his boat on the sea of Galilee teaching the people across the water. Other times the waves are roaring and I am reminded of the Psalmist’s words: “Sing a new song to the Lord! Let the whole earth sing to the Lord! Let the heavens be glad, and the earth rejoice! Let the sea and everything in it shout his praise! Let the fields and their crops burst out with joy! Let the trees of the forest sing for joy” ~ Psalm 96:1, 11-12 (NLT)
At times I know that God is speaking directly to us through creation. We, like Job, just have to pay attention. “Just ask the animals, and they will teach you. Ask the birds of the sky, and they will tell you. Speak to the earth, and it will instruct you. Let the fish in the sea speak to you.” ~ Job 12:7-8 (NLT)
Summer seems like a busy time on the North Shore, with endless streams of motorcycles and jake-braking 18-wheelers roaring through Tofte, and what sometimes seems like the entire Twin Cities metro cramming onto the hiking trails at Temperance River State Park. But this worship time on Sunday morning has been a reminder of why I fell in love with the north woods. It is in the forest and along the waters that I have most clearly heard God’s voice.
Meanwhile, this profound sense of His presence in creation should remind Christians that he not only calls us into service to humanity, but also into stewardship of His creation. Many of the environmental issues that were big news headlines a decade or so ago: habitat and biodiversity loss, industrial and consumer pollution, recycling and energy alternatives, haven’t really gone away, they just seem somehow less urgent.
But the same questions God asks the ancient Israelites he could ask us today:
“Isn’t it enough for you to keep the best of the pastures for yourselves? Must you also trample down the rest? Isn’t it enough for you to drink clear water for yourselves? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet?” ~ Ezekiel 34:18 (NLT)
These environmental issues, particularly habitat and biodiversity loss, deal in part with how we relate to our fellow creatures, yet many are also issues of justice. For example, pollution disproportionately impacts poor and minority communities and our energy use today impacts generations to come. Even as Christians proclaim the gospel of salvation, in which we are made righteous through Jesus sacrifice on the cross, we are also called to seek justice. Through the prophet Amos, God says:
“… let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.” ~ Amos 5:24 (NRSV)
The lapping of the waves on Lake Superior are a call to worship the God of All Creation and our Risen Savior, to be sure. But I believe we should also hear them as a renewed call to stewardship, justice, and loving, Christ centered action.
This week our contributor is Daren Blanck, pastor of Zoar Church in Tofte, a formerWilderness Canoe Base guide/ counselor, and a student of Beyond the River Academy, a ministry program of Lutheran Congregations in Mission for Christ.
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