The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, the world, and those who live in it.                                                                                                 –Psalm 24.1

Let me point out the obvious. No doubt we are living in a time in which violence around our globe is escalating. In addition, it seems that our political and religious leaders are determined to stand on opposite sides of any issue simply to “win” the day. They see no value in learning to listen to each other or finding other ways, other solutions, or as some suggest, “a third way” that recognizes and honors the positions of each.

Every now and then you get to see something that really makes you stop and think. That’s what happened to me this morning as I stopped for a moment in going through my inbox and watched this video someone sent me. I invite you to watch it and see if it doesn’t impact you in the same way, causing you to stop and think about this island earth on which we live.

https://www.youtube.com/v/923jxZY2NPI

Perhaps one of the ways we can see through all the violence, fighting, and political and religious posturing would be to consider that this earth, the only place where all people for all time have ever lived, belongs to God. Moreover, perhaps it would equally benefit us to consider that all people who have ever lived, are living, and will live on this island earth are children of God.

Maybe if we pondered these two thoughts for a while we might discover a passage through to a new way of living, one in which people love their neighbors as themselves. What a concept. We ought to try it, don’t you think?

Holy One, as I look at the stars help me to remember that we live on a small blue dot, and it is the only home we and all who have come before and all who will come after will ever have. Help me to honor this miracle of your creation and live peacefully with all. Amen.