Hey Christians! The Earth Needs Saving, Too

Christians have a common saying: “This world is not our home, we’re just passing through.” We even sing about it.

But this doesn’t mean we should just sit in our basements collecting dust, waiting for Jesus to return. God has made this beautiful Earth, and it’s our job to love it and look after it — and the people in it, too.

A few years ago, I felt a tug on my heart to get out of the office. Like, really get out. I wanted — needed — to be immersed in God’s green earth for a while. So, I quit my job and went with one of my best friends to the most magical place of all: the Shire. Or as it’s most commonly known, New Zealand. We dubbed our six-month working holiday “One With the Earth,” and it was our goal to spend as much time getting our hands dirty as possible.

Though most of our adventures were marred by failure and mishap, the trip taught me the joy and hardship that comes from tilling the ground. I appreciate the food I put into my mouth that much more — I’ve experienced firsthand the sweat and prayers that go into what’s on the table. And through enjoying and playing in His creation, God continually pointed me back to Him. I was able to spend most of those six months in utter marvel at the work of His hands. It was one of the most restorative times of my life.

As Pope Francis says in his Encyclical on the environment, “Living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue; it is not an optional or a secondary aspect of our Christian experience.”

Caring for the environment is mandatory for Christians. If God is truly transforming us, our hearts will care for what He cares about: the Earth and everything in it.

Over and over again in Scripture, we read about how much God loves His creation. God created the world, and He said, “It is good.” Everything on the Earth — not only us humans, but trees and the waters and animals and the sky — points to His glory.

When it comes to environmentalism, Christians should be the ones leading the charge. So how is it that so many of us have got it wrong? We’re either ignorant of the devastation we’re causing by our over-consumption, or we’re deliberately turning our backs on the responsibility we have to steward the Earth.

And I’m lumping myself in this category, too. Without a constant reminder that I should care about His creation, that God wants me to care, it’s so easy to settle back into complacency. Routine takes over. The consumption-driven culture conquers.

But Katherine Hayhoe, a leading Christian climate change scientist, makes this argument: “If you believe that God created the world, and basically gave it to humans as this incredible gift to live on, then why would you treat it like garbage? Treating the world like garbage says a lot about how you think about the person who you believe created the Earth.”

Having respect for what God has created is vital to the Christian faith. And though He’s given us the responsibility to rule over the earth, we’re to rule the earth as God rules: with tenderness and love.

The way we live our lives, the way we care for the Earth and everyone in it, gives glory to God. So let’s get out of our basements and spend some time enjoying what God has made. Let’s pray that He would remind us of our responsibility to His creation. And then let’s do something about it!

1. DO SOMETHING GREEN

Visit the website 70 Ways to Save the Earth. Choose one thing from the list you and your family can do today. Remember that your care for the earth gives glory to God.

2. READ THE PSALMS

Especially Psalm 19 and 96. David saw God’s fingerprints everywhere he looked. While you’re reading, meditate on how God loves His creation, and ask Him to open your eyes to the beauty of the Earth. Ask Him to guide you in being a good steward of creation.

3. UNPLUG AND GO OUTSIDE

Your connection with the environment grows deeper when you spend time in it. So get out there and enjoy God’s creation!

Do you want to talk with a mentor? Please refer to the original article here to connect with a mentor.

Written by: Leanne Janzen
Used with Permission. Originally published on thelife.com.