God & Play
Not long ago I was reading the hymn Morning Has Broken. What really hit me were the last words. Here they are:
Mine is the sunlight!
Mine is the morning.
Born of the one light
Eden saw play!
Praise with elation,
Praise ev’ry morning,
God’s recreation
Of the new day!
Recreation?!?
Does the song mean God is re-creating, as in remaking, the world each new day? Or, does it mean each morning God’s engaged in recreation, you know, play?
I think the lyrics are going for both, actually, and that’s where the hymn draws its life and shares its wisdom.
The singer is celebrating that this day (with God) is fresh like the First Day, and so it’s a delight. And, when we sing “one light Eden saw play”, the double-meaning of the word play encourages us to a fresh vision of God at play in the world.
We talk so much of work and how much we have to do.
Even our “recreational activities” (and those of our families) start to sound like over-demanding and hyper-scheduled jobs.
But, do these activities recreate us?
Do they make the best parts of ourselves a little fresher and full of life and praise? Do they re-create us?
And, are they rest and play, or just another form of labor that beats us down?
Recreation is a huge part of the wisdom of Sabbath (a day set aside to honor God by rest). And, it’s part of my counselor’s wisdom when he tells me I have to create stories, poems, and pictures.
Recreation – resting, playing – keeps us in touch with the vibrancy of what brings us to life day after day.
It’s moments like these when I remember Jesus performed miracles at parties (John 2), drew pictures (John 8), and took naps (Mark 4).
Mine is the sunlight!
Mine is the morning.
Born of the one light
Eden saw play!
Praise with elation,
Praise ev’ry morning,
God’s recreation
Of the new day!
Recreation?!?
Does the song mean God is re-creating, as in remaking, the world each new day? Or, does it mean each morning God’s engaged in recreation, you know, play?
I think the lyrics are going for both, actually, and that’s where the hymn draws its life and shares its wisdom.
The singer is celebrating that this day (with God) is fresh like the First Day, and so it’s a delight. And, when we sing “one light Eden saw play”, the double-meaning of the word play encourages us to a fresh vision of God at play in the world.
We talk so much of work and how much we have to do.
Even our “recreational activities” (and those of our families) start to sound like over-demanding and hyper-scheduled jobs.
But, do these activities recreate us?
Do they make the best parts of ourselves a little fresher and full of life and praise? Do they re-create us?
And, are they rest and play, or just another form of labor that beats us down?
Recreation is a huge part of the wisdom of Sabbath (a day set aside to honor God by rest). And, it’s part of my counselor’s wisdom when he tells me I have to create stories, poems, and pictures.
Recreation – resting, playing – keeps us in touch with the vibrancy of what brings us to life day after day.
It’s moments like these when I remember Jesus performed miracles at parties (John 2), drew pictures (John 8), and took naps (Mark 4).