Today, the 19th May, is 139th day of the year 2022 in the Gregorian calendar, which is also the 61st day of Spring in the UK. There are 33 days till Summer!
Summer what a lovely thought! British people have a reputation for being rather obsessed with the weather but then, on our lovely island, the weather is unpredictable so we have to take summer whenever it appears, be it the Indian summers of September or the odd warm day in Spring. We cannot expect the weather to follow our holiday schedule or weekend calendar and it rarely does. We can only rely on there being some type of weather and learn how to dress accordingly.
Recently though we have not been able to rely on the weather following what we consider its normal patterns. As we learn of the warming of Planet Earth and the tremendous impact this has on the lives of people, particularly in less industrialised countries than our own, how do we respond? Is it in fear because of what this may mean for the whole planet in the future or is it with concern for those whose lives are blighted now? Or do we simply shrug our shoulders in resignation and mumble Que sera, sera – what will be will be?
The global farming community has more of a keen interest than most in the weather patterns, planning as they must for next season’s crop planting or harvesting of winter animal feed. Farmers, rooted in nature, work hard to supply our food, the price of which directly impacts upon their income levels and on the ability of many people to pay for a weekly family shop. The droughts and floods, experienced by rural societies around the world, wreak havoc on these agricultural communities whose economy and physical well-being is completely reliant upon the weather.
So, what does the Bible have to say about this? Let’s hear from the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah.
The ground is parched
and cracked for lack of rain.
The farmers are deeply troubled;
they, too, cover their heads.
Even the doe abandons her newborn fawn
because there is no grass in the field.
The wild donkeys stand on the bare hills
panting like thirsty jackals.
They strain their eyes looking for grass,
but there is none to be found.”
Jeremiah 14:4-6
Let’s pray,
O Christ whose voice the waters heard
And hushed their raging at thy word,
Who walked upon the foaming deep
And calm amidst the storm didst sleep,
Arise, replenish nature’s dearth
Awaken us to cries of Earth.
(Taken from the Hymn Eternal Father Strong to Save)
Elisabeth Sweeney Smith