Those of you who know me are aware that I have a special fondness for this spinning mudball I stand on. It’s not because I believe God is in the rocks and trees, or because I think the world will end if I keep driving my Land Cruiser. I love the Earth because I love the one who made it.
This planet is like a gigantic bin overflowing with presents of incredible value, given to you for your pleasure. It’s a table full of foods to feed you. A masterfully crafted house of amazing beauty for you to live in. God does not need a home to live in, he has no flesh that he needs a roof to cover or food to eat. He made this place to show His love for us, even though he knew we would ultimately trash it like the brats we are.
Earlier this year I thought I was mostly alone. Isolated, I thought the faith community was sitting on their hands shouting “No” to the environmentalist nut-jobs camping out in trees and standing in front of bulldozers. Now I realize that there is a growing movement of Earth Stewards like me, who are striving for responsible care of our gift and motivated to share this message with others. The Sierra Club has confirmed that with their latest report called Faith In Action – Communities of Faith Bringing Hope For The Planet.
I can’t put it better than Sierra Club founder John Muir:
“All the wild world is beautiful, and it matters but little where we go, to highlands or lowlands, woods or plains, on the sea or land … or high in a balloon in the sky; through all the climates, hot or cold, storms and calms, everywhere and always we are in God’s eternal beauty and love.”
I hope it sticks. I wish we’d all get on board. Kick the long worn out entitlement doctrine to the curb and start being careful with the precious gift we’ve been given.
