Earth Day & Our Responsibility as Earthlings

Then the LORD God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate it and keep it. ~ Genesis 2:15

(NASB)

Today is Earth Day. Forgive me if I preach a little.

While there is much debate regarding the realities of Climate Change, there can be no doubt that God wants us to be good stewards of all the blessings that have been bestowed on us. And the very first job he had for humankind was to "cultivate and keep" the garden that was made for them. So whether you believe in Climate Change or not, if you believe in God, you have a duty to safeguard this Earth. It is part of your stewardship; a part of your ministry.

It puzzles me when Christians want to use the argument for Intelligent Design, but don't feel an obligation to care for the very world that they claim an Intelligent Designer created! That contradictory stance is not a very good witness to others, and is a severe stumbling block to many.

Putting aside all political & environmental arguments, I encourage you to consider the momentous gift we have in this planet and to actively participate in appreciating it and making it better for the next generation. For here is another spiritual admonition we find in the Bible:

. . . for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. ~ Corinthians 12:14 (KJV)

We all can do small things that make a big environmental impact over time.

Don't waste water!

(You'll save money too!)

Don't use your heat or AC on days when you really don't need it.

(You'll REALLY save money with this one, plus it's healthier.)

Recycle.

(It's not that hard.)

Carry reusable bags to the grocery store.

(I admit, this one takes getting used to, and I still forget to put my bags back in my car. But if you are smart enough to regularly shop with reusable bags, you will benefit because they hold more and don't rip open.

Who among us HASN'T had our milk or pasta sauce explode

when our wimpy plastic bag tore open? More importantly, our rivers and oceans are becoming watery landfills for plastics at an alarming rate.)

It's the accumulation of the small things that make a big impact. And once you start turning off the running water while you brush your teeth, you'll find it quickly becomes habit. Eventually it becomes "awareness" and you'll begin to automatically find other ways of saving water.

In the end, it doesn't matter whether you believe the polar ice caps are melting and the seas are rising or not. You should be a caretaker of this planet for your children; for your credibility as a Christian; and for God as a way of showing your appreciation for this wonderful place we get to call Home.

I'm done preaching. Excuse me while I take my reusable grocery bags out to my car before I forget again . . .