Now, I know that environmentalist and “going green” is cool these days. I also know that in some Christian circles the whole global warming thing and environmental tree huggers is considered foolish, not true, or political garbage. However, I have a though to consider that has changed my perspective a bit.
This past Monday was Earth Day. And for the moment I would ask that we all set aside our political passion or distaste for environmentalism.
First - we all believe passionately in the sanctity of life - that every human life is a gift from God and should be treated as such. That is why abortion is an important issue for us - because it is God’s domain, His gift, His creation.
Second - we also believe that we are to be good stewards of the gifts that God has given us - which is true of our spiritual gifts, our finances, our material possetions and so on. Why? Because we believe that God gives us these things - and when we view them as our own, it distorts their purpose and our view of God.
So, if those two are true - wouldn’t it make sense to view God’s created world that way? Yet, for so many people, instead of viewing it as a gift…it is something we consume. At the very least, I wonder how our interaction with the stuff we buy, the things we throw away, and the way we consume the created world would look different if we treated it as a gift from God?
If there is anyone who should be excited about “tending to the garden” (as it states in Genesis 2) - shouldn’t it be the people of God?
Now, don’t get me wrong. I am not interested in all the political garbage that is contained in between the lines of environmentalist’s jargon.
I think I am simply suggesting that we take a second and consider viewing our products and our earth as a gift instead of something we consume.