How Caring for the Planet Brings You Closer to God
“For the earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” (1 Corinthians 10:26, NLT)
The Earth we inhabit stands as a testament to God's power and love. As one of His greatest gifts to us, we should respect and protect the planet we live on.
Today, we see disrespect and destruction facing the Earth on an unprecedented scale. This stems from the belief that humans control and dominate everything on our planet; instead of viewing it as a divine gift from God. We often make the mistake of putting our own interests before our respect for and faith in the Lord.
Environmental destruction is often caused by the very things that Christ condemns: greed, self-indulgence, and even the worship of profit over faith in God. It also stems from a disregard for the beauty of the Earth, one of God’s blessings to us, and of course, the place we reside and rely on to survive.
“Trust in your money and down you go!
But the godly flourish like leaves in spring.” (Proverbs 11:28 NLT)
We’ve often heard that living to honor God, which we should strive to do, involves being conscious of the actions and thoughts we partake in. Viewing the Earth as an extension of God’s love means to honor God, we must also honor His creation.
Recognizing how sacred and special the world we’ve been blessed with helps change the way we think about it. We often take things like nature, air, water and animals for granted; we fail to realize they are unique gifts from God.
So be aware of your daily tasks, and debate yourself on whether they are done in God’s name or as a result of your own interests. For example, if you have a habit of throwing litter out your car window and into the road, consider how this affects not only the environment, but your relationship with and respect for God.
While we as individuals should take the necessary measures to conserve our planet, getting others involved is just as important. Community and shared interest open up opportunities for collaboration and teamwork and can make more of a widespread impact.
For example, getting your church community involved in a beach or park clean up. or a charity fundraiser, can bring everyone together in the name of a good cause- protecting God’s creation.
The importance of rallying your community around God’s word is mentioned frequently in the Bible, which emphasizes the usefulness of being in a group that spreads His message. This is not only applicable to physical action, but also the larger idea that respecting and looking after the planet contributes to the global community, especially those that will be drastically affected by environmental problems.
“The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him. For he laid the earth’s foundation on the seas and built it on the ocean depths.” (Psalms 24:1-2)
One of the best things about nature is that spending time outside is never a bad idea. Think about all the times you’ve felt refreshed after a long walk or hike, a picnic out in the sun, or after seeing some especially beautiful flowers or creatures.
The sanctity of nature is something that can’t be replicated, and in this way, it is always giving back to us when we keep it safe. Ensuring our mountains, trees, plants and animals will be protected not only honors their maker, our God, but also lets us (and the generations to come) partake in its beauty.
Spending time in nature is an incredible way to connect with God. Not only does it offer a quiet space for reflection but offers the opportunity to take in and enjoy His gift—our home.
Next time you feel stuck, try finding a spot in nature—especially if you can hear the wind in the trees, running water, singing birds or other natural sounds. Take some time to reconnect with the ground, thank the Lord, or pray.
Remember your place as a follower of Christ, and show respect to the environment you live in. In return, it will offer you peace and a space to connect with the Lord through his creation.
#environment #creation #redemption #stewardship #giftofcreation