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“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
I spent some time last month working on a friends’ goat farm in central Asia.
One of the owners of the farm and I walked in the late evening sun, by a windbreak that had been restored by a newly-installed micro-irrigation. We saw dried-out trees sending out new leaves, and ants, and wasps, and birds drinking from the droplets. As I thought of all the soil that was being saved and the mini-ecosystem restored, I marvelled at this special, qualitative, ROI.
Later my spiritual advisor reminded me of the radical joy Jesus took in life, regardless of the challenges he faced. Jesus enjoyed weddings, good company, good food, good wine, and laughter.
I was flying over the Aral Sea as I starting writing this post. It was half dried out with algal blooms and salt deposits on the ruined soil. The sight reminded me that a positive financial balance sheet is important, but so is a social, environmental and spiritual one.
When you next go outside, look at God’s Balance Sheet – Creation. I am writing this in September, so if you are in the northern hemisphere, marvel at the plants as they senesce, loading their roots with nutrients or sending out seeds for the next generation. If in the south, may you take joy in the burgeoning new life.