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In the science fiction novel Dune, we meet the Fremen people who live on a desert planet called Arrakis. The planet is a forbidding place: all sand and wind and hot sun. The Fremen live underground, and when they venture to the surface must wear body suits that help them recycle body fluids so they don’t dehydrate and die. Also living beneath the surface are huge worms that occasionally surface and gobble up whatever they want, including people. The living conditions there make our own deserts on Earth look like verdant gardens, by comparison.
I write this brief reflection from one of the most hospitable places on Earth. Flowers bloom year ‘round, rarely does the sun not shine, and bugs are few and far between. So far, I’ve not encountered any giant worms. And even though I see some rather strange outfits on people, none of them, to my knowledge, recycle body fluids. Thank heaven for that.
Planet Earth is a great place to live. But it didn’t happen by accident. It is a gift from God. Every so often, we need to remember that, and celebrate it, and think about what it means. So please read Deuteronomy 8:7-17. Then pray and prepare to hear my message this Sunday, “A Good Land from a Good God.”
This Sunday we’ll also celebrate holy communion. If you’ll worship online, prepare your wine and bread before you plop down in front of the screen.
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