He creates the world, sustains it, acts upon the lives of human beings, and ultimately gives Himself: the Sunday divine services in October follow the traces of the works of God.
What does a garden have to do with responsibility? Why does a look back on the creation lead to gratitude? Where can we discover the activity of God in our own lives? And what is, in fact, His greatest work?
Four Sundays, two pairs of themes, and a common journey: the month of October begins with a focus on the creation, followed by a look at the works of God. In the process, our gaze shifts from humanity and the surrounding world ever closer to God Himself—namely the One who created all things, who acts and helps, and who, out of love, even gives His Son.
What has been laid into our hands
At the start of October, it all begins in the garden—more precisely: in the Garden of Eden. That is where God places the first human beings in order “to tend and keep it.” And those two activities pack a real punch.
To tend means to shape and develop. To keep means to protect and maintain. Dominion over the creation therefore signifies responsibility, not exploitation. Human beings are to be good stewards of something that belongs to God.
And there is no need for anyone to go out and save the whole world all at once. Responsibility begins right where we happen to be: in our families, in our neighbourhoods, at our workplaces, and in our communities.
The One who stands behind it all
A week later, the perspective changes from created being to Creator. The Revelation of John gives us a glimpse into heaven. There we see God seated upon the throne, and the heavenly elders worshipping Him, saying: “You created all things.”
It is not only while we are in church that we join in adoration and thanksgiving, however. Our praise and thanks are also manifested in our trust in God, in our own actions, and in the way we treat our fellow human beings and the creation.
And finally: the creation not only has a beginning, but also a goal. God will complete His work.
Where God is at work
By mid-October, things get personal. Psalm 40 looks back on the experience of divine help: deliverance, comfort, forgiveness. But the psalmist discovers more than a series of happy coincidences in this. Behind these experiences he recognises God’s comprehensive will to save. Nevertheless, questions remain open in the process. God’s thoughts are greater than human thought. Not everything can be explained, nor can every path be immediately understood. Nevertheless, the actions of God are aimed at salvation and fellowship with Him.
And that changes everything. The psalmist talks about a “new song”. This is more than singing: hope, love, patience, and willingness to forgive begin to reveal themselves in our lives.
What love can do
By the end of October the golden thread arrives at its destination: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.” This familiar passage from John 3 makes clear where the initiative originates: it is not humankind that moves toward God, but God who turns toward humankind.
And He gives what is most precious of all: His Son. Thereby the love of God becomes very tangible—in the incarnation of Jesus, in His activity, in His suffering and death, and in His resurrection. God Himself bridges the gap between Creator and created being—and opens the way to fellowship with Him.
And so we come full circle: at the beginning we see the God who created the world and entrusted it to the care of humanity. At the end stands the same God, who acts out of love to save humanity.
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