Loving God, Loving Earth

Caring for the earth is something that has been heavy on my mind for the past few weeks, and I feel that its a vital part of being a follower of Jesus that is so overlooked. Me and my fiance recently took up gardening, and for me it has really opened my eyes. Watching something you put in the ground transform into a plant and then produce food for me was just amazing. It really opened my eyes to the beauty, order, and mystery of the Earth and of God. When people used to grow their food that had to put a lot of hope in God for their produce, and they could really see his hand at work. Today everything is so accessible, we don't have a clue where our food comes from, and we miss out on much of the beauty of God.

I am really falling in love with everything about our planet, it truly is beautiful. When I look at the ocean, or a tree, or an animal, I see God in it. I see the wisdom and purpose in it, and it comforts me because it makes me see the purpose and wisdom in myself. This is something I don't want to lose. I want my children to exprience the earth in the way he created it, and to the best of my ability I want to abstain from things that are destroying it and partake in the redemption of all creation!

something i read today:

"The most important idea found in Scripture for taking care of the Earth is "shalom" (in Hebrew) or "eirene" (in Greek). Often these words are translated as "peace" in English. Yet the word "peace" as we use it and understand it in everyday language fails to fully capture the total meaning of "shalom" or "eirene."

In addition to the absence of conflict, "shalom" and "eirene" carry a sense of well-being, health and wholeness. These words call for a peace that includes right relationships on all levels of being - in our hearts, in our families, among nations, between classes, between races and also with the Earth. Justice is central to a world built in "shalom" and "eirene."

In connection to the environment, not only are we simply not to "hurt" the Earth, we are to empower and work toward its well-being, balance and health. An alive and vibrant ecological system is central to the full vision of "shalom" and "eirene" for the world (Isaiah 55:12, Romans 8:19-21). When we recycle, compost or plant a xeriscape yard, we are doing holy work.

We fail to understand what is required in our relationship to the Earth because we have focused too long on one verse in Genesis that says we should dominate and subdue the Earth (Genesis 1:28). This verse leads to a domination/submission way of being.

Rather, there are many more references to God's vision of "shalom" and "eirene." In God's vision, we are to see humanity and the Earth as partners, cooperating to bring about greater well-being and health than we currently can imagine. "