Coming Home to Earth
A Meditation by Rev. Cameron Trimble
“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” —Psalm 24:1
Yesterday, two astronauts who had been stranded in space finally returned home. After months of uncertainty, their journey back to Earth was nothing short of extraordinary. Their safe landing was a moment of collective relief, a rare and beautiful reminder that no matter our nationality, background, or politics, we are all earthlings.
In an age when division and conflict seem to dominate the headlines, this shared experience offered a glimpse of something deeper—something ancient and true. Beneath all our differences, we belong to this planet. We are of it, by it, and from it. The astronauts, floating above the vastness of space, saw Earth as it truly is—one whole, living, breathing world without borders or boundaries. No lines drawn on maps. No nations in competition. Just one luminous, fragile home, suspended in the infinite.
I wonder what it must have been like to gaze down at this planet from above, to see the rivers winding like veins, the forests breathing, the swirling clouds moving in slow, rhythmic patterns. To witness the interconnectedness of it all, the beauty of this blue-green world that sustains us, the only home we have.
Their return reminds us that we, too, are blessed to call this place home. And with that blessing comes responsibility—the call to care for our planet as the sacred gift that it is. To remember that we do not live apart from creation, but in deep interdependence with all the creatures, plants, oceans, and ecosystems that make life possible.
St. Francis of Assisi, the great lover of creation, saw the Earth as family—Brother Sun, Sister Moon, Mother Earth. He understood what we so often forget: that we belong to this great web of life, that our well-being is tied to the well-being of all living things. “All things of creation are children of the Father and thus brothers of man… God wants us to help animals, if they need help. Every creature in distress has the same right to be protected.”
We have not always lived as though this is true. We have exploited the Earth’s resources, polluted her waters, and treated nature as something to be used rather than cherished. But moments like this—when the whole world pauses to celebrate the return of two fellow travelers—remind us of what is most important.
We are not separate from the Earth. We are of it. And if we are to have a future here, we must remember how to live in reverence, gratitude, and care for this planet that holds us all.
We are in this together,
Cameron
Reflection Questions
If you could see the Earth from space, what do you think would change in how you see your life and our world?
How can you deepen your connection to the Earth as a sacred home?
What small action can you take this week to care for creation—whether through conservation, kindness to animals, or simply spending time in nature?
A Prayer for the Day
A Blessing for Our Home
God of sky and sea,
Of deep roots and stretching branches,
Of wild rivers and quiet meadows,
You have given us this world as home.
May we learn to see it as gift,
To walk gently upon the land,
To listen to the wisdom of the trees,
To care for the creatures who share this place with us.
Teach us to live in gratitude,
To protect what is fragile,
To restore what has been broken,
And to love this Earth as You do.
May our lives be a blessing,
Not just to one another,
But to the soil, the waters, the winds, and all that lives.
Amen.
Spiritual Practice
Grounding in Creation
Take time today to step outside and truly be with the Earth. If you can, go barefoot on the grass, dirt, or sand. Feel the ground beneath your feet, the solid presence of the Earth holding you. Breathe deeply. Pay attention to the air, the sounds of birds, the texture of leaves, or the scent of the wind.
If possible, spend a few moments in stillness, offering gratitude for this planet, for the trees that give us oxygen, the water that sustains us, the sun that warms us. Whisper a prayer of blessing for the Earth, or simply let your heart swell with appreciation.
Remember: You are not separate from this world. You belong to it, and it belongs to you. Let that knowing shape the way you live, love, and care for this beautiful, fragile, sacred home.
Upcoming Events That Might Be of Interest…
March 25, 2025, 7-8:30pm - Dr. Matthew Fox and I are hosting a Lenten series that we are calling “From Darkness to Dawn: Spiritual Courage and Political Action in the Age of MAGA.” Our first session was with modern mystic, Mirabai Starr. Andrew Harvey was our second guest. The amazing Bishop Yvette Flunder was on March 18! Father Adam Bucko on March 25! REGISTER HERE! (recordings are available)
April 1, 2025, 12pm ET - Rev. Damien Lake and I are collaborating on hosting a cohort for new congregation developers that will meet monthly. Ecumenical. Interfaith. Free. Join us.
April 1, 2025 - Rabbi Benjamin Ross and I are collaborating on a new leadership program called “All Together Now: A Collaborative Cohort for Jewish Congregational Leadership Teams.” You can read about the program here.
June 4, 2025, 12pm ET - Jeff Chu has written a new book on a topic close to my heart: Soil! The title is “Good Soil: The Education of an Accidental Farmhand.” I am so pleased to be interviewing him. I hope you will register (link coming tomorrow). Your registration includes a copy of his new book.
July 20-25, 2025 - The Art of Wilding: A 5-Day Expedition in Wyoming for Women Leaders. Click here to learn more. Only one spot left!
August 11, 2025, 2pm ET - Dr. Andrew Root and I will be hosting a 6 part series on Spirituality in the Secular Age based on his research. The dates are August 11, 18, September 8, 15, and October 6, 13. Mark your calendars! More on this soon.
September 4, 4:30pm ET - I will be collaborating with the Anderson Forum for Progressive Theology to host a conversation with Thomas Jay Oord on Open and Relational theology. It’s a FREE event. Register here.
October 15-18, 2025 - Converging 2025: Sing Truth Conference (all musicians invited!) at Northwest Christian Church in Columbus, OH. Register here!
I drafted a Strategic Framework for Congregations as we move into the coming years of increased authoritarianism around the world. If interested, you can download it here.
My first thoughts upon reading this mornings’s meditation: “Good Morning ladies and gentlemen on board for Flight 001 to Montreal Canada, this is your Captain speaking!”
OK, I am a retired physics teacher enamored with learning about the earth’s gravitational field both for flying and settling into an established earth orbit in a satellite! Full transparency, this mornings’s comment is not a new thought! I read all Cameron’s postings because she approaches her meditations from a pilot’s perspective which builds confidence within her audience. She provides the same practical directions required to disembark following an emergency landing to matters so prevalent in our culture today. There are words to use for reflection, for praying when emotions block telling God what is on our hearts, for contemplation and for action to care for others.
I loved her question about the astronauts perspective gazing down on our blue-green planet while awaiting their return. It would be interesting to learn what they were thinking!
Jan Lucas