I was recently at the Global Leaders Forum of the National Association of Evangelicals, in Washington DC, and was participating in a workshop on “Creation Care.”

The facilitator went around the room and asked each of to tell why we were there. Most people gave the kids of reasons that you might expect: to learn more, or because the environment had been a long-time interest, or because of something they had recently learned. However, one participant, an older gentleman with a long background in religious broadcasting, nearly brought tears to my eyes when he simply quoted:

This is my Father’s world, and to my listening ears
All nature sings, and round me rings the music of the spheres.
This is my Father’s world: I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
His hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father’s world, the birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white, declare their Maker’s praise.
This is my Father’s world: He shines in all that’s fair;
In the rustling grass I hear Him pass;
He speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father’s world. O let me ne’er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father’s world: the battle is not done:
Jesus Who died shall be satisfied,
And earth and Heav’n be one.

What a powerful reminder!

All of creation exists to praise its Creator. And as we have dealt with the fires in San Diego, the flooding from Tropical Storm Noel in the Dominican Republic and Haiti and all the personal tragedy wrapped up in these events, it is a powerful reminder that though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet!