In a world dominated by one
news story you can be excused for being unaware of the significance of this
week, 03-09 May 2020. It is in fact,
International Compost Awareness Week. ICAW for those who care. If you have
never discovered the mysteries and magic of compost you have missed one of
earth’s most treasured secrets.
Quite simply compost is the
natural process of turning waste into life. Take any once living substances
like vegetable scraps, lawn clippings, coffee grounds, fallen leaves, human
hair, saw dust, animal manure and so on and add them to a pile with ample
moisture, aeration and time – and the result is a rich fertile brown soil
improver called compost. Compost recycles waste. It adds beneficial organisms
to the soil. It’s good for the environment. It reduces landfill. It’s carbon
sequestration – yes it removes carbon from the atmosphere and builds it back
into the soil. It’s free. It’s natural. It won’t cure Covid-19, but organic
food grown in compost is a rich source of nutrition.
Metaphorically Australia
could be described as the compost nation. The refuge, riff raff and ragamuffins
of Great Britain were transported to this vast land with its ancient
inhabitants. Add weather, time, struggle, gold, sheep and a few more
ingredients and Australia is not such a bad outcome. Sadly it also includes exploitation,
theft and degradation, but out of all the mess modern Australia shines brightly.
The Navy, too is nurtured by diversity
and time. Mix in warships a jumble of navigators, war fighters, aviators,
submariners, divers, writers, chefs, stewards, boatswains, hydrographers, technical
types and logisticians (and many more) from all over Australia, often with colourful
and questionable backgrounds- add in a good serve of Royal Navy imports and the
odd Kiwi and the modern Royal Australian Navy is surprisingly impressive.
Training, hard work, commitment and discipline sharpen the mission focus.
Spiritually, even an ancient
faith takes on a little of the compost theme. God takes us with all our drama,
insecurities, weaknesses, foolishness and failings and believes in us. He loves
us in spite of our sin. He calls us to be family. Transforming our darkness
into light. Giving us hope, meaning and joy. Resurrecting our human soul.
For
God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes
in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16
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