Why care about the Earth? Because we “should?” Because we’re worried about the future? Because everybody else is messing up our sandbox? Or is there a reason that comes from somewhere deeper?
I came across this link The Joyful Environmentalists yesterday. The post (go read it!) is a bit about Eugene Peterson (translater of The Message Bible and author of over 30 books including The Pastor, and Peter Harris, founder of A Rocha, an “an international Christian organization which, inspired by God’s love, engages in scientific research, environmental education and community-based conservation projects.”
That is certainly true! It’s a big job, quite likely too big a job. It’s so easy to just say it can’t be done, close our eyes and carry on the way we have been.
Ah, but Harris goes on to say this: “If, on the other hand, you do what you do because you believe it pleases the living God, who is the Creator and whose handiwork this is, your perspective is very different. I don’t think there is any guarantee we will save the planet. I don’t think the Bible gives us much reassurance about that. But I do believe it gives God tremendous pleasure when his people do what they were created to do, which is care for what he made.”
So why care for creation? Because God made it. Because He created humans to care for it (not trash it). Because He is honored when we respect His handiwork.
We care for creation as an act of worship to God.
To me, that’s really powerful. It cuts through all the how and why and will it work and why is no one helping. It cuts out everything but me and God.
Am I worshiping God in this way, or am I not?
Are you? What is your act of worship?
