Teaching the World to Sing

For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities-- all things have been created by Him and for Him (Colossians 1:16)
How wonderful and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony! Psalm 133:1 (NLT)harmony - (Websters) - the combination of simultaneously sounded musical notes to produce chords and chord progressions having a pleasing effect. agreement or concord

Being part of creation, perhaps we need to learn to harmonize with it, even as we sing the melody.

Reared with the understanding that littering is sin, I have always been one to search for trash bins, carrying along whatever needing tossing as I did so.  Amazement and frustration have been my bedfellows as I observe other human beings dropping dirty diapers, used tissues, popsicle sticks and wrappers, etc. on the ground, sometimes even when a trashcan is but steps away from them.  The thought has gone through my head multiple times, "How hard can it be to walk five steps to dispose of that properly?"  However, as I read the book I am currently using as a study guide, I realize that in many ways I am just as guilty, if not in physical manifestation, at least in attitude.  So I have another book to recommend to any who happen to fall upon my blog or read my emails: Gardening Eden by Michael Abbate'. (Yes, there is an accent over the e in his last name.)

"Since God created the world and then man and told the first man to be fruitful and multiply, this planet is just like a giant bank account of natural resources that God gave us access to.  We didn't deposit the equity in the account; God did.  But it is here for our use and enjoyment.  Therefore we don't really need to worry about protecting it."  (first common objection of chapter 6, pages are not numbered) This is an objection some Christians give to conservation of natural resources.

My first reaction to this was, "This isn't me. I believe we are caretakers of God's world, not owners and therefore are not to do simply as we please."  Upon deeper reflection, however, I realize that this bank account mentality is more deeply imbedded in me than I realized as I was brought back to a thought that went through my mind years ago when it was first brought up that we have oil reserves in America that would last ten thousand years at the rate we were using it at that date in time.  I thought, "In ten thousand years?  Jesus will probably have returned by then anyway, so what difference does it make it we use it up?"   I had forgotten that I thought that, but the memory stirred something in me.  While I do not believe it would be wrong to delve into those resources, I do believe (now) that we should truly be conservative and use only what is needed rather than what is desired.  Herein lies our problem (in my humble opinion...feel free to disagree): We struggle with knowing the difference between real need and simple desire.  Not only that, but we secretly believe our desires are more important than other peoples' desires and so should be fulfilled more readily. 

The other day I wanted some clear contact paper for a project I was working on for my grandson's preschool lessons.  I started to simply jump in my car and go to Walmart.  However, I called my husband instead.  He said not to go out, because we would be going out later that night anyway, because he had some things he wanted to purchase as well.  At the time I only thought about how this reasoning saved me personal time and energy.  This morning I realized it saved more than that.  It actually saved petroleum, wear and tear on one of our vehicles, money because of the first two items listed, the air from extra pollution from car exhaust, and even exertion on those who would serve us at the store, as they would only have to serve us once rather than twice in the same day.  As I ponder this, it amazes me what an impact such a seemingly simple act can have in the life of this planet we call home.  I am humbled at the thought.

Greed is sneakier than I ever envisioned.  I used to think pride was my biggest problem, but the more I study, the more I become aware that I am a needy, greedy person in the flesh.  Thinking that Jesus would probably return before ten thousand years was up was a very selfish thought, because what if He doesn't?  What if Father God decides He wants to wait ten thousand more before sending Jesus back, because He is ever patient and desires all men to come to Him?  (II Peter 3:9)  If that is the case, then I should be concerned for those who will be here at that time.  If Jesus does return before then, what will be His stance regarding the way I treated the world He placed in my care?  He has granted us many more opportunities of service than we realize, one of them being to take care of and to manage this world and its resources.  I believe it is true that He has given us more resources than we will ever need.  However, I also believe from personal experience, that we are greedy and will not only use what we need, but will grab as much as we possibly can, because in our heart of hearts we believe that the "one with the most toys wins."

Once one of my grandchildren was in a rage and decided to destroy whatever they could get their little hands on.  I caught them beginning to destroy something that "belonged" to one of their siblings.  I took it away and said, "No! If you really want to destroy something, it must be something that belongs to you."  I handed the child a toy I had given them as a gift and told them they could destroy it if they wanted, but not their siblings toy.  Of course the decision was made not to tear it up and the point was made. 
The truth is, this entire world and everything in it belongs to Father God.  He has given us example after example to let us know how He feels about it in the hope that we will grasp and hold on to the understanding and use it to make this world a better place than it has become.  When we destroy the forests, wipe out entire species of animals, spill oil all over the oceans and into our soils, throw trash on the ground and into rivers and streams and poisonous gases into the air, we are destroying Someone else's property!!  This world is like a bank account all right, but we are simply shareholders.  God owns the bank!! 

Father,  I want to thank You for this precious earth we call home.  Make me more grateful and help me to show that gratitude in my actions.  Help me remember that, though You have made me a caretaker, it does not make me owner.  Help me also remember that my actions reflect who You are in me, and if those actions are greedy and prideful, that is what the world will consider You to be.  Forgive me and help me reflect who You truly are, a loving and generous benefactor Who is willing to share all He owns and only asks gratitude, love and respect in return.  Teach us what each of these truly means rather than allowing us to go about defining them in any way we think will benefit us best, because, let's face it Lord, this is our tendency.  Wisdom comes from knowing You and understanding You.  Help us receive both.  In Jesus' precious name I ask this.