The heavens are yours, and the earth is yours;
Psalm 89:11
everything in the world is yours—you created it all.
Every once in a while I like to pick one photograph and use it as a writing prompt. Today the challenge is on via this wonderful image from Naomi in Orlando. It turns out to be loaded with everything from basic cuteness to theology to politics and more.
The photograph was taken at the Orlando Science Center this past weekend. David is eleven. Beks is nine. Geoffrey is now almost 27 months.
“Earth Matters,” the sign reads, “Rethink the future.”
I’m not sure there is any better visual to go with “Rethink the future” than three children who are being raised to not only think but to ask good questions too.
Curiosity = inteligence
This conversation reminds me of a Bible study series Rebekah taught at WFPC. It was based on an excellent book titled: “Jesus Is the Question: The 307 Questions Jesus Asked and the 3 He Answered” (Copenhaver, 2014).
During the two decades I spent as a school teacher (especially working with pre-school and elementary aged students) I came to understand that curiosity is one of the most useful indicators of intelligence.
The challenge of education is not so much to teach rote facts to children as it is to spark their interest, and to arm their curiosity with the right tools. Likewise, the task of religion is to introduce people to God, to motivate us to seek truth, and to guide us into asking questions that then take us deeper.
This picture is also political because we must, as a community of people, develop the will to rethink what tomorrow might look like if we intend to respect as well as enjoy this beautiful yet fragile planet.
This is where it all comes together: Politics and theology and intelligence and more. God gifted us with an amazingly beautiful planet, Earth, to live on and to take care of. Taking care of the planet is good theology, it is good politics, and it is a sure sign of intelligence.
Abusing this gift of a Good Earth turns out to be bad religion, worse still politics, and just plan dumb.
Energy, Intelligence, Imagination, Love:
We can elevate this conversation to the practice of leadership. I think – immediately – of the promises, the vows, Presbyterian elders and ministers recite when they are presented for ordination. These newly elected leaders promise “to serve with energy, intelligence, imagination, and love.”
It’s the imagination part that dovetails so well with this post about curiosity.
If we want a future that is defined by the kind of progress that heals and sustains this beautiful planet, then we need energetic curiosity, fueled with intelligence and imagination, and rooted in love.
That turns out to be good theology, great politics, and intelligent public policy – DEREK
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.
Jeremiah 29:11-13
Derek Maul: Words, Photographs, and Food for the Journey 
Nothing to worry about! Democrat Pete Buttigieg is on the job! When you look at the train derailment disaster in East Palestine OH, I never, ever want to hear a democrat/liberal/socialist tell me about climate change or my carbon fooprint.
I don’t see the Sierra Club, Greenpeace or Earth First or even Joe Biden headed to the town to ensure the safety of the people and the region. Complete incompentency by this administration for this and so much more.
Thank your neighbors, the democrats.
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Thanks for reading, “sfsdfsdfe” – I don’t think this is a partisan conversation. Just an opportunity for all of us to move forward with a little more thoughtfulness and imagination. Democrats and Republicans and Independents alike… and me, and you.
“We must, as a community of people, develop the will to rethink what tomorrow might look like if we intend to respect as well as enjoy this beautiful yet fragile planet.”
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