When, in Awe of God's Creation

1 When, in awe of God's creation,
we view earth from outer space,
this mysterious, floating marble,
strewn with clouds and bathed in grace!
How can we not pause in wonder,
seeing earth as one and whole,
then, confessing our divisions,
make earth's healing our prime goal.

2 Blue and tan, with lace clouds swirling,
flung in space and circling there,
habitat for myriad creatures
meant for land and sea and air!
Must we draw our lines of hatred
marking land and class and race?
God, forgive us, we entreat you,
for all pride of self and place.

3 Living now, this is the picture
we no longer can deny,
for we see no angry bound'ries
when our view is from the sky:
rivers, deserts, forests, snowfields,
oceans, lakes, and mountains too,
but no fences built for barring
you from me or or me from you.

4 Now we face the unknown future,
challenged by the work at hand.
Still the God of all creation
summons us with one command:
"Love each other!" Will we do it?
"Love each other!" Wars might cease!
"Love each other!" Justice follows:
"Love each other!" There is peace!