And We Shall Be Created

 I had the opportunity to pray a beautiful prayer at a training over the weekend.

 

At least ten times throughout the weekend, I prayed the words, “Send forth your Spirit and we shall be created. And you shall renew the face of the earth.”

 

Honestly, the first few times, I simply read the prayer like I was supposed to. I went through the motions, not really grasping what I was saying.

 

Then it hit me, “Send forth your Spirit and we shall be created. And you shall renew the face of the earth.”

 

We SHALL BE created. Not, “We WERE created.” Not, “We ARE created.” But, “We SHALL BE created.” In a future moment, through the Spirit.

 

What this prayer is implying is that creation didn’t take place just once. There wasn’t one creation story and the end. God is constantly creating, and, according to this prayer, God is constantly creating us!

 

What this means is that we are not static robots, pre-programmed to live out our destiny.

 

Instead, we are active art—pottery that God is spinning and molding and creating afresh each day—music that God is composing with motifs and themes and movements—a story that God is writing with a plot and chapters and characters—a building that God is designing with different levels and hallways and rooms—a painting that God is revealing with lines and strokes and colors.

 

“Send forth your Spirit and we shall be created. And you shall renew the face of the earth.”

 

In constant creation, God is renewing the face of the earth. And we are part of that renewal! Our words—our actions—our thoughts—our feelings—our very creation through the spirit—helps renew the face of the earth…if we let it!

 

Is that not amazing to think about?!

 

“Oh, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faith and kindle in us the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and we shall be created. And you shall renew the face of the earth. O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy your consolations. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” –a Roman Catholic prayer to the Holy Spirit