“The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.” (Psalm 24:1 KJV)
*Note: This is an edited post from April 17, 2015 titled Caring for God’s Creation
 |
| From http://www.deafhope.org/assets/images/theatre/world3.jpg |
From the opening verse of the Bible, Genesis 1:1, we see the creative power of God—“In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth”. God designed the earth for a purpose. Likewise, He created mankind to care for His creation—the whole of it.
 |
| Photo Credit P. Whitlach |
 |
| Photo Credit P. Whitlach |
Once sin entered into the picture (Genesis 3), the whole of God’s creation began to suffer as the result of mankind’s decision to live in a way that God had not planned. The beauty was marred. Creation has beauty but within that beauty lies danger too—danger from various elements, as well as animals.
How have you seen danger within the beauty of God’s world?
 |
| Photo Credit P. Whitlach |
 |
| Photo Credit P. Whitlach |
God expects us to care for the environment and the world He has given us. This is a sacred trust, in fact, Ecclesiastes 1:4 states: “One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever.”
We have only one planet…let us care for it! How are we doing at caring for our environment? Are we helping or hurting it?
It would be so easy to take the easy way out and flippantly think: “Jesus is returning. Why should I do anything to help the environment?” While Jesus is indeed returning—likely soon—we still need to use care in what we do and how we do it. Creation is fragile; therefore, we need to handle it with care.
 |
| Photo Credit C. Meissner |
 |
| Photo Credit C. Meissner |
We can do many things (such as recycling paper or plastic, or planting a tree, or walking instead of driving), that will make our world a cleaner, healthier place to live.
It was not all that long ago, during the Great Depression, that our parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, and others learned to recycle/reuse/repurpose almost everything. They were on to something that many of us in this disposable culture have seemed to have forgotten: there is not an unlimited supply of resources, eventually things run out, disappear. We would be wise to use its resources with care.
How do you repurpose/reuse things?
Our world—the whole of creation—is crying out. Crying out in desperation for a change, for help—help that is found in Jesus Christ alone. The whole of creation groans as even it awaits the return of Jesus (see Romans 8:22). Are we crying out as well?
 |
| From https://completejoy.files.wordpress.com/2008/06/jesus_holds_the_world1.jpg |
Check out this article on The High Calling website for some ideas of how you can care for the environment.
Somewhere I read that we borrow the earth from our children; therefore, we should give to them an environment that is as healthy as possible.
Take some time to soak in the beauty of God’s creation and praise and glorify Him for it!
What can you do today or this week or this month to help the environment?
What are you already doing to care for God’s wonderful, beautiful creation?
Please join with me in prayer:
God of Creation, thank You for Your beautiful and fragile world. We recognize many times we have not cared for it as carefully as we should and have taken its resources and beauty for granted; please forgive us. Grant us the wisdom to protect Your world and use its resources with care. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
From My Heart to Yours,
Kim
I am a firm believer that we should all be good stewards of God's creation. Danny and I do recycle and he takes energy efficiency in our home to the max. We do need to take of this beautiful earth God has given us so our children and grandchildren will inherit its goodness.
ReplyDeleteLove and blessings, Kim!
Martha, I agree with you on being a good steward of God's creation. It sounds like you and Danny are doing a lot. God's earth is so precious; we haven't always cared for it as we should.
DeleteLove and blessings, to you Martha!
This was truly a thoughtful and positive approach for caring for God's creation. Thank you. I do try to recycle and reuse many things. I also try to care for God's nature surrounding me by being a good steward of His earth and caring for the wildlife in my "neck of the woods". We should certainly be responsible citizens of God's kingdom here on earth in any way possible.
ReplyDeleteThank you again for this reminder.
Have a blessed day my friend.
Pam, Thank you for your kind words. It sounds like you are doing a good job caring for the environment and caring for wildlife in your area. Like you, I believe that we need to be responsible in caring for the earth while we're here.
DeleteBlessings on your day and weekend, my friend.
Kim, this may be Earth Day, but every day we should not only be thankful for the beauty of the creation in which we live, but doing our part to take care of it. What a timely piece! So true, and it's not too late if people would just listen and do their part to stop ruining this world for our children and grandchildren!
ReplyDeleteKimberly, thank you for visiting and commenting! I agree with you; on being thankful for God's creation and caring for it. It isn't too late to care for the world. I specifically timed this piece for today. While I don't remember the first Earth Day (just a tad too young), I remember first hearing of it on its 20th anniversary in 1990 (I was a high school senior).
DeleteBlessings!
Hi Kim! This is a timely post, both for Earth Day, and it comes just as many countries sign a pact to improve air quality.
ReplyDeleteWe heard on our news that in our area, there is only one county that has been given an 'average' rating for air pollution. I don't live there. It really does make me concerned for my grandchildren. How could we have fouled up our planet so much? I do think there are better ways to get power, and help out our environment. Thank you for this post, which points out how we can help. Just recycling is great start!
Blessings,
Ceil
Hi Ceil! I'm thankful the Lord reminded me about this post and that I was able to do a bit to it and re-post, just in time for Earth Day. We have misused and abused our beautiful and fragile planet--so much destruction all in the name of living for the day. Even though I'm not a parent or grandparent, I share your concern about what today's youth will have when they are my age.
DeleteI'm thankful my post is helpful and pertinent.
Blessings,
Kim
It is so important to care for creation. Thanks for this word of inspiration. I get a little anxious around Earth Day because I feel like it ends up worshipping creation not the Creator. You did a beautiful job of talking about why we should be stewards of this planet we call home.
ReplyDeleteDeb, thank you for your kind comments. I share your anxiety about Earth Day for the reason you stated. In fact, when I first shared this post last year that was my greatest concern/fear...that people would misconstrue my words. I'm glad my words reflected being good stewards of this planet.
DeleteBlessings!