When we create and help sustain life we are working as co-creators with The Creator. When we take care of the earth and allow life to flourish we are worshipping the One who created life. When we make daily decisions to make a lesser impact on the earth we are worshipping God for we are appreciating what He has made and respecting what He has given us.
God is so marvelously and wonderfully displayed in nature. Through observing nature we can begin to see God more clearly. We can see that He loves beauty and detail as we marvel at the delicacies of each flower. We can see His love for order through the rising and setting of the sun each day. Everything in nature seems to have its place and works together in harmony for the whole of life. God’s power and might are displayed in the crashing of waves and the thunder of the sky. His resurrection is displayed each spring as the earth awakens from its sleep and new life emerges. God’s ability to provide for us is evident in how He provides for the birds of the sky and the flocks of the field. God’s ability to heal is evident in the way nature can completely restore herself even through we continually work to destroy her. It seems that even if we were to cut down every last tree and pollute all of her streams she would still find a way to shine for Him, for we can diminish her holiness but we will never destroy her.
The Earth is one of our greatest teachers and if we spend time sitting in her fields and listening to the birds sing we will naturally draw nearer to the one who created all things. Therefore, we need to keep her beautiful so we may all come to know our God more.
First God created the heavens and the Earth. Then He created man and woman to care for the Earth. In Wendell Berry essay, Christianity and the Survival of Creation, he states, “We have the right to use the gifts of nature but not to ruin or waste them. We have the right to use what we need but no more.”
I am challenged to see the holiness that surrounds me. I am trying to awaken my mind and become aware of the impact that my thoughts and actions have on people and the earth. I am encouraged that I can care for the earth in simple ways each day.
If you find yourself challenged by this as well here are some simple things you can do to take better care of God’s creation:
1. Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth or shaving.
2. Wash your clothes in cold water.
3. Recycle everything and try to buy items that have minimal packaging. Find a grocery store that sells bulk grains and snacks. Bring your own bag to the grocery. Avoid purchasing disposables.
4. Replace lights with compact fluorescent bulbs, you will save loads of money as well.
5. Clean or replace air filters every 6 months.
6. Unplug electronics when you aren’t using them.
7. Hang your clothes out to dry.
8. Donate old books to the library.
9. Take shorter showers or just shower less!
10. Ask your local utility to conduct an energy audit and then heed their advice.
11. Reduce the amount of junk mail you receive by registering at www.dmaconsumers.org/cgi/offmailinglist.
12. Instead of a birthday gift send a donation to a charity or plant a shrub or tree in their honor.
13. Avoid use of pesticides or chemicals on your lawn and garden.
14. Grow some of your own food, even if you don’t have a yard you can grow herbs and sprouts in your kitchen and vegetables in containers on your roof or balcony!
15. Buy local!! Not only will you support the people in your community, you will help cut down on fuel that is spent for most food to reach our grocery stores and you will be blessed with nutrient rich and fresh food! Find a Farmers Market Today.
16. Walk or bike ride instead of driving. Car pool. Try and take one or two trips a week to the grocery instead of multiple ones.
17. Shop at thrift stores and donate to them as well.
Spend time in nature and thank God for all He has made. I believe that the more time we spend with her the more we will come to cherish her gifts and desire to care for and protect her in return.
