Reflections on Earth Day

Have you ever looked at a simple maple leaf? I mean really, really looked at it? It is absolutely amazing. And proof positive to me that this world -- the earth, the galaxy and everything in it -- was created by God. He then entrusted this astonishing creation to humans to look after it and care for it.

And we have failed God utterly in this task.

We have stripped and ravaged our beautiful planet. We have consumed and over used. We taken and slashed. We have disrespected our wild places and tossed them aside. We have forgotten that Acts tells us that "The God who made the world and everything in it, he is who is Lord of heaven in earth, dose not live in temples made by human hands." He lives in and among the wonderful world -- The Temple -- he created and gave us to dwell in with him.

And we have desecrated his Temple.

But it's not too late. I believe that if the health of the Earth is to be saved, it must be done so by Christians. We must each do what we can do in our own homes and families, we must share the importance of this work with others, and we must pray. We must pray for those working to help the environment. We must pray that governments and giant corporations change their habits to better preserve the earth. We must pray for endangered animals. We must pray that our children will continue the charge.

I am reminded of Psalms 50:10-11, where God tells us "For every wild animal of the forest is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the air, and all that moves in the field is mine."

We are called to help protect the creatures and those wild places where they live simply because they belong to God. Won't you join me?
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Want to know more? Check out Guideposts Christian magazine, which now has a "Living Green" section each month.