Is God ‘Green’?

With all the information circulating about the environment (global warming, rainforest destruction, pollution, etc), I began to really think about a Christian’s role in saving the earth.  Traditionally, Christians have been seen as very passive and almost uncaring about the environment.  A lot of this has been brought about because many environmentalists do not understand the balance that God created in the beginning.  I asked the questions:  How do I care for God’s earth without worshipping it?  What is my relationship to the earth?  The answer to those questions can be found in scripture.

1.  We must first realize that creation is a reflection of God’s glory and perfection.  Everything that God created in the beginning was good (Genesis 1:12, 22, 25).  In the beginning, the earth was dark, formless and empty.  From there, God merely spoke and created time (night and day),  land and seas, sun, moon and stars, and living creatures.  Last, but not least, He hand-carved His masterpiece, man.   Sometimes we forget how awesome God is!  Take the time to look at the stars at night, listen to the crickets chirp on a summer evening, watch the changing colors of the leaves during the fall, or notice the portrait that God paints each evening as the sun sets.  “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!”  Psalm 8:9  We must always remember that this is God’s handiwork and to worship Him and not the things that He has created (Romans 1:25).

“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for He founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters.” Psalm 24:1-2

2.  God has given us dominion over creation, as well as, made us stewards of creation.  One of the first commands God gives Adam is to ,”Rule over the fish of the sea, and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground” (Genesis 1:28b, Psalm 8:6-8).  Adam was even given the authority to name each of Gods’ creations (Genesis 2:19-20).  God also gave Adam the task of taking care of the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:15).  Therefore, our role is to care for and nuture what God has created.

I must admit that I have not done my part in protecting and nurturing what God has made.  Now I have a better understanding.   One of the first steps is to nuture and care for God’s most precious creation, man.  What can I do to help my fellow brother or sister?  Next, what small steps can I make to help the environment (recycling, monitoring my water usage, using more natural or biodegradable products, etc)?  God desires that we live a life that honors Him first and nurtures and protects the things He has created.

Happy Earth Day!