For all sorts of reasons today is a special day! The UN declared 22nd May as International Biodiversity Day. If that wasn’t enough it's also Sherlock Holmes Day, World Goth Day, Harvey Milk Day, National Buy a Musical Instrument Day and National Maritime Day. So there are many diverse occasions to celebrate.
Famous people born on this day include Richard Wagner (1813), Laurence Olivier (1907), Kenny Ball (1930), George Best (1946) and Naomi Campbell (1970). The world is all the richer for their existence.
It is good to be mindful of biodiversity today, for nature, for humankind and the future health of our planet. Biodiversity is a word we hear a lot about but a simple definition is this: “Biodiversity is the shortened form of 2 words “biological” and “diversity”. It refers to all the variety of life that can be found on Earth (plants, animals, fungi and micro-organisms) as well as to the communities that they form and the habitats in which they live.” We can see clearly when it's working well and sometimes we hear about land being “biodiversity rich”. People describe an abundance of species and plants as “richness”. For far too many years we've witnessed the alarming decline in numbers of just about every species of insect. But there is hope on the horizon because, at last, organisations, land owners and gardeners caring for our little plots are changing how we do things and treasuring God's great abundance of life on Earth.
Taking this further, biodiversity is reflected in the life of the church and in the people of God. We find unity in diversity when we build communities where every person is valued and appreciated, and by creating a culture where everyone has something to contribute and can bring each unique gift to the table.
“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” (1 Cor 12: 4-11).
The health and harmony of a community of believers depends on each individual being encouraged to realise their potential for the benefit of the whole church. The success of outreach and mission needs everyone, in all our glorious diversity, to work together in order to reach our world in all its complexity. The more diverse our backgrounds and experience the better (1 Cor 9). Perhaps we could have a mindful moment today to consider how we discover and develop our individual gifts and how we encourage others as well.
• What are you passionate about?
• Do you know what your gifts are?
• What are your hopes and dreams for the life of your church?
• Is there something you'd like to do or explore in your Christian life?
Take a moment to reflect: “Each one should use whatever gift they have received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms” (1 Peter 4: 10). May we commit to building communities that are like biodiversity rich habitats, being Christians who administer “God's grace in its various forms”.
A prayer by Revd Cate Williams, Environmental Officer:
Creator God, we acknowledge that as your handiwork, we stand alongside all you have made. Trees and rivers, mountains and valleys, soaring birds and scuttling creatures, all are held within your care. May we grow in our love and appreciation for the fabulous variety around us; and may our awe and wonder draw us closer to the natural world, and through it to you, the God of all things, in Jesus Name, Amen.
Ruth Leeming
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