God's Global Ecology

Have you noticed that the volume on the conversation about ecology has gotten turned way up lately? Everywhere we turn, people are talking about the environment. Well -- almost everywhere. Many church communities are strangely silent on this issue. Frankly, that won’t work for us at Connections. This Sunday we wrestled with a singular question of motivation: Why should we, as followers of Jesus or people exploring faith in Jesus, care about the environment?

1. Because we're on the hook for it.
Taking care of creation was the first job God gave humans. (Genesis 1:27-28, 2:7-8,15). Although all creation bears God’s fingerprints, people were uniquely made in God’s image. As a result, humans were given authority over (rule) and responsibility for (farm, take care of) all that God has made.

2. Because we're joined at the hip with the earth.
The relationship between people and the planet runs deeper than we assume. (Genesis 3:17-19; Hosea 4:2b-3) We come from the earth and will return to it. Our choices impact the rest of creation and the natural world sometimes returns the favor (famine, natural disaster, etc.). Followers of Jesus also claim to worship the same God that the rest of creation praises at all times. (Psalm 96:11-13) If we say that honoring God is a priority in our lives, shouldn’t we preserve that which never fails to give Him glory?

3. Because Jesus would care about the environment.
Although you can’t find one verse to “prove” this, stewarding what God has made seems to line up with Jesus’ mission and values. (Colossians 1:15-20) Jesus came with the mission to redeem and restore everything God made -- not just people, but the rest of the planet too. Although a day is coming when the restoration will be completed (people get new bodies, while God makes a new heaven and a new earth), Jesus tells those who would adopt His way of living to begin the redemptive process now.

Jesus’ highest values might be summed up with the word love. He taught that the greatest things in life were to love God and to love people. Could taking care of what God has made be a way to live out love? God certainly loves His creation (Genesis 1:31; Exodus 20:8-11; Deuteronomy 20:19; Matthew 6:25-30). Can’t we love God by honoring what He loves?

4. But what about loving people? Shouldn’t we worry more about humans who are starving than preserving trees and polar bears?
Maybe it isn’t an either/or, but a both/and equation. Taking care of the planet is an excellent way of loving people. Here are a few groups we love each time we practice God’s global ecology:

• Future Generations. They will inherit whatever we leave behind.
• Spiritual Seekers. God uses nature to reveal Himself. (Romans 1:19-20)
• The Least. The survival of the poor is often closely linked to the environment. They are also the least able to buy their way out of environmental problems.

5. How much will God expect from us in this area?
With authority and responsibility comes accountability. (Luke 12:48) Most of us don’t own tons of land or animals, but we do use the planet’s resources. American’s comprise only 5% of the global population, yet we:

• Use 25% of the planet’s energy.
• Eat 15% of its meat. (Which is resource intensive to produce.)
• Consume 28% of its paper.
• Account for 23% of energy related carbon emissions.
• Use 25% of its oil.

We have a lot; God expects a lot from us.

6. Where can we begin if we want to practice God’s global ecology?

• Focus on the spiritual aspect. Make this an act of worship directed to God, not guilt-driven act of self-improvement.
• Get out in creation. Most of us spend much of our time in man-made environments. Reconnecting with God’s beauty in nature can up our motivation level.
• Be mindful of your impact. Start noticing the resources you consume on a daily basis. You’ll feel more invested in ecology.
• Take a step at a time. Like anything else, progress in this part of our spiritual journey will probably come incrementally. Start at home with things you can control.
• Learn more in this area.

Books:
Serve God, Save the Planet by J. Matthew Sleeth, MD
Saving God’s Green Earth by Tri Robinson
It’s Easy Being Green by Crissy Trask

Websites:
http://www.savinggodsgreenearth.com/resources.html
http://www.energystar.gov/
http://www.treehugger.com/
http://www.greenlivingonline.com/