Ruling Over Creation

"God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground." Genesis 1:28

I'm teaching a course for classroom teachers called Action Research. The objective is to encourage and guide teachers through systematic investigation of something they do in the classroom in order to help them do it better - and to encourage them to make this a regular professional practice. David Claaerbaut, in his book, Faith and Learning on the Edge, opened my eyes to some biblical insight for the course.

He says that if we are to commit ourselves seriously to teaching and learning then we need to take another look at what it means to rule over creation. We are not to subdue and gain dominion over creation by conquering, subverting and manipulating it, but by knowing, comprehending its wonders so our mastery will be competent. What better reason to learn (or to do research) - that we might know as much about His creation as we can and therefore be the best stewards that we can be. This obviously applies in more arenas than education, or action research - but that's where I live so that's where I see the immediate application and insight.

Turnips

"You can't squeeze blood from a turnip."
Depth and Dimension. It's tough to write from what ain't there.
I think this is one of the reasons I started this blog; some personal, spiritual accountability.
Avoidance is uncomfortable.

Something from Charles Colson's Who Speaks for God? seems to be relevant.
"Being a Christian in the West seems to mean joining the power structure, but in much of the rest of the world it means standing against it, risking everything. Our Third-World brethren in particular understand the hard truth that the structures of this world are fallen - and the gospel, therefore, is counterculture."

Maybe if it wasn't so acceptable to be a Christian I might not be so casual about devotion. Still no excuse.

Turn my attention, Lord. Help me choose to walk more closely with you.