GOD’S INTEREST—AND OURS—IN THE NATURAL WORLD
Can the Christian Church work together with so-called environmentalists? Yes, it’s happening as more and more Evangelical Christians of every denomination are being called to act in support of earth stewardship.
Eternal Perspectives by Sally Bair
God and the Environment
A few years ago, a medical doctor wrote a book about his spiritual journey to environmental stewardship. After seeing so many cancer, asthma, and other chronically diseased patients, he turned to his faith to learn answers on how to be a good steward of the land. He drastically downsized his lifestyle, leading his family to better health and spiritual richness.
God holds us accountable for caring for His creation. Leviticus 25:23 records that we are God’s tenants of the land.
There is a direct correlation between the condition of our spiritual life and the condition of the land. When we continue to live only for ourselves, it affects all creation. A recent documentary chronicles the history of people near the Arctic Circle. In spite of having learned about Christ generations ago, eventually, most of the villagers became addicted to drugs and alcohol. Suicides and hopelessness pervaded every village. People became careless of the environment, causing the caribou and certain sea animals to leave the area.
Then, a few Christian villagers gathered night and day for months to pray and fast. Their prayers brought revival that swept through the villages. Hearts were changed, positively affecting every other facet of life. People began caring for the land—and the caribou and sea animals returned. What a testimony to God’s plan!
For too long, we as a Christian nation have plundered the earth to meet our materialistic desires. Its effects are sobering. The pollution from one power plant in Massachusetts was found to cause 1,200 ER visits, 3,000 asthma attacks, and 110 deaths annually. Some 64,000 people die in the U.S. every year because of soot in the air.
Second Chronicles 7:14 says: “…if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
Recently, a coalition of conservative evangelicals met in Maryland to encourage congregations to take environmental stewardship more seriously. I’m happy to see this coming. Conservatives and conservationists should be natural allies, not foes. Environmentalism should not be a political issue but one we all should heed.
Our Creator God, we thank You for loving us and all that You’ve made. Help us to consider daily how we can serve You by caring for our environment in a way that honors and glorifies You and sustains our well-being. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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