Dear Earth,
Happy Earth Day. Of course, I don’t really think you can read this. I don’t believe the earth has a spirit or any mumbo-jumbo like that. Maybe that’s why I’ve been slow to get on the whole eco-friendly train.
I do feel like many other things take priority over “saving the planet.” The earth itself isn’t as valuable as human souls, made in the image of God. That doesn’t mean that I should pollute and waste as much as possible, but it does mean I shouldn’t feel guilty about having to use my non-hybrid vehicle to take a meal to someone, or flying halfway across the country to visit my family, or choosing to run over an animal rather than hitting another vehicle where injury or death may occur (that last example is hypothetical).
In fact, I’ve never really felt guilty about not doing the things that I should do such as recycle, carpool, or use compact florescent bulbs (I don’t ever plan on doing that last thing, sorry. They annoy me. Don’t worry, I’ve been called a vampire before for good reason: I don’t like a lot of light and prefer one lamp to be on than the much brighter overhead light). Maybe it’s because I don’t believe like many do that this Earth will self-destruct. No, it won’t last forever, but it will be God that will sustain until the end times when it will pass away.
Though I believe that the Lord gave us this earth to use, I do think it is our responsibility not to make it more of a mess than necessary. There are definitely steps that I need to take to do a better job of being a good example, not a bad example. As a Christian I should be one of the leaders in the movement to care for what we’ve been given (stewardship – the same is required of how I use my time and possessions).
That said, each new alternative and method to “saving the planet” needs to be evaluated ethically. Sophie does a great job here of pointing a little known fact: biofuels create worse conditions for those living in poverty, as the food they depend on is either unavailable or costly as those plants are being turned into fuel or not being grown in order to grow plants to make into fuel.
So, Earth, I’ve neglected you too often. I do hope to take some positive steps to being more “green” myself. When we move, I plan on recycling (I have no idea how to do that now, but our new complex has the bins for it). I also want to be more conscientious of the amount of water, electricity, and gas I use. What other steps could/should I reasonably take?
Down to earth,
Ronnica
I totally agree with you! I’ve taken steps to be more “earth-friendly” not because I worship the earth, but I believe that God gave us this earth and we should be good stewards over it. I don’t make a mess of my home, so why should I make a mess of the earth God gave us?
While I believe in recycling as much as possible, I am not a total follower of Gore and his global-warming.
Happy Earth Day indeed! Something easy (and trendy) you can do is buy some cool, resuable, eco bags to take with you to the store or when you go shopping so you don’t have to use the plastic bags they give out.
http://www.ecobags.com/
A book with some good ideas about living more simply is: Living More with Less. I think this is a really important issue for all followers of Jesus to really engage and set an example of stewardship!
I agree. We were given the Earth to use, but to beautify and make better as well :) We should appreciate the gift and use it wisely.
Thanks for the link.
Being “green” as a Christian can be a tough line to walk. We shouldn’t let our lives be governed by fear of destroying some unheard of snail when power could be given to hundreds of families, but that doesn’t mean we should totally disrespect the earth either.
You’re right, Christians ought to be the leading environmentalist, but we should be balanced. We are supposed to take control of the earth and use it’s resources for our benefit, but we must be careful not to abuse that responsibility or else we will end up doing more harm than good.
I know God’s got everything under control! I will be as responsible as is within my power to be a good steward and God will take care of the rest!
Good post.
Brenda :)
I know God’s got everything under control! I will be as responsible as is within my power to be a good steward and God will take care of the rest!
Good post.
Brenda :)
I know God’s got everything under control! I will be as responsible as is within my power to be a good steward and God will take care of the rest!
Good post.
Brenda :)
Well, I know you drink a lot of Dr. Pepper (I usually see them in cans). I don’t know about Wake County, but Franklin County has an aluminum can drive twice a year. You get paid a certain amount per pound of aluminum cans. My parents made $75 this year…just from collecting cans. You could also us eco friendly cleaning products. They even sell some of them in Walmart and Target these days!