One of the biggest issues that we’re facing today has to do with climate change. Whether we believe in it or not, there seems to be something going on with regard to glaciers melting, sea levels rising, and more storms each year. Last year, our wee city of Knoxville, Tennessee, which is located on the foothills of the Smokey mountains and usually enjoys pleasant weather, was hit with a highly destructive tornado, the likes of which we have never seen. Our winters have also been getting warmer with less snow capping the beautiful mountains that surround us.
Whatever is causing these changes probably has to do with the many neglectful ways in which we take the Earth for granted. We also tend to leave our environmental problems to someone else, or to some future hapless generation to find solutions to the difficulties that are presently occurring. It is far easier to ignore the issues and neglect to do something positive politically, financially, or even globally. After all, isn’t it our God-given right to do as we please with the planet and to exploit its resources?
When I read the Biblical version of creation in the Book of Genesis, I’m always impacted with the role that God gives to humanity with regard to the Earth. In today’s highlighted verse, we read that God not only expected mankind to work in the Garden of Eden, but God also wanted human beings to take care of it. Thus, right from the beginning, we are divinely expected to be caretakers of this planet, this home we call Earth, and not to exploit it.
So, here’s our challenge for today: how can we fulfill our faith in God by looking after the environment we live in, so that we honor God’s creation and become responsible of the planetary role that our Maker expects?
Prayer: Lord God, this is a beautiful and exceptional planet which is a great and unique gift. Help us to heal the harm we have caused it and enable us to restore its balance by being caretakers of the Earth’s environments and not exploiters. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.
John Stuart is a retired
Scottish pastor, now living in Knoxville, Tennessee. You can read more of his regular
devotions on his website at www.glenkirk.blogspot.com
Today’s image is one of John’s drawings based on Psalm 24. You can view a larger version at this link: Psalm 24.
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