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.
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