Care for God's Creation
Text: Romans 8:19
For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; (NRSV)
When God created the heavens and the earth, God gave dominion (care) of the planet to humanity (see Genesis 1). At that moment we became stewards—caretakers—of God’s creation. It is through the proper care of the planet we harvest from it that which we need to survive. It is through the proper care of the planet it continues to provide for us all that we need as God fully intended.
When humanity fell into sin and began to see the produce of the land as something to be exploited for personal benefit (see Genesis 3), the earth was also subjected to futility (Romans 8:20). When humanity began to see the earth as a personal possession and not something belonging only to God over which we were to care, we began our long slow decent into causing harm to that which was provided for our good.
How do we, as those who claim to be the children of God, become the stewards of God’s creation we were called to be? What steps can you take today that will begin to heal the planet in gratitude to God for the amazing gift of God’s creation?
We are not called to worship the earth or anything on the earth but, we are called to be those who have been revealed as the children of God. In part, at least, that means we are to take up the responsibility that God has given us to care for God’s created planet that produces all that is needed for the survival of humanity while we wait for the return of Jesus and the new heaven and the new earth for which the creation also waits with eager longing.
Pray with me:
Creator God, you have blessed us with life and with love. You have given us all that we need to be sustained in this life through the bounty that is produced by your creation. In gratitude I pledge to do all in my power to care for that which you have made me a steward. May my actions and my words rise to the level of my gratitude to you. AMEN.
For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; (NRSV)
When God created the heavens and the earth, God gave dominion (care) of the planet to humanity (see Genesis 1). At that moment we became stewards—caretakers—of God’s creation. It is through the proper care of the planet we harvest from it that which we need to survive. It is through the proper care of the planet it continues to provide for us all that we need as God fully intended.
When humanity fell into sin and began to see the produce of the land as something to be exploited for personal benefit (see Genesis 3), the earth was also subjected to futility (Romans 8:20). When humanity began to see the earth as a personal possession and not something belonging only to God over which we were to care, we began our long slow decent into causing harm to that which was provided for our good.
How do we, as those who claim to be the children of God, become the stewards of God’s creation we were called to be? What steps can you take today that will begin to heal the planet in gratitude to God for the amazing gift of God’s creation?
We are not called to worship the earth or anything on the earth but, we are called to be those who have been revealed as the children of God. In part, at least, that means we are to take up the responsibility that God has given us to care for God’s created planet that produces all that is needed for the survival of humanity while we wait for the return of Jesus and the new heaven and the new earth for which the creation also waits with eager longing.
Pray with me:
Creator God, you have blessed us with life and with love. You have given us all that we need to be sustained in this life through the bounty that is produced by your creation. In gratitude I pledge to do all in my power to care for that which you have made me a steward. May my actions and my words rise to the level of my gratitude to you. AMEN.
Related Posts
Recent
Archive
2021
January
Christ In MeIt's A StruggleLiving Out the MessageWhere is Your Heart?Why Give?Do Not be AfraidBlessed AssuranceDon't Leave it up to ChanceIntentional Self-CareTrust and FaithHave I been Crucified with Christ?Burning HeartsSolid FoodTo God be the GloryThe Friend of the BridegroomPure HeartsSeeing God EverywhereIs There No One to Intervene?Teach Me To PrayRedeeming the BadIncomparable GloryCare for God's CreationLife that is Really LifeOperating out of LoveBroken ChainsGod's Gift of GracePay it ForwardFrom Alien to CitizenRooted and Grounded in LoveDoes Jesus Still Weep?
February
Welcomed with LoveFaith DemonstratedLove When I Mess-UpWhat is the Source of my Words?Healing Found in ConfessionExperience is BelievingHoly LivingFrom Fall to GloryGrowing into our SalvationMy Life as a Beacon of LightJoining the People of GodExiles from the Broken WorldLet it GoDon't Get EatenTo Know or to KnowRepetition of the WordMyths or Personal ExperienceGod's TruthEyes to SeeLooking God in the EyeSelf-DeceptionForgive Me My SinWhat Makes Jesus Tick?Don't be Drawn AwayChild of GodJoyous Extravagant GenerosityActing Out TruthLove Restored
2020
November
My Expectation and My HopeNot Knowing All the DetailsThe Unapproachable Approachable GodDon't Run Ahead of GodTruly Follow JesusWhy Worship?Dating vs. SoulmateA Call to SacrificeWholly SanctifiedThe Work of a DiscipleMeditate on God's WordThe Community of ChristiansAn Individual ResponseGrieving the Old Life
December
The Voice of GodMore Than a FriendSeeing the KingdomStale RelationshipsChosen PeopleUnveiled LivesRealizing Your PurposeExpecting GodDon't Worry be HappyPersecuting JesusWho Are You Lord?Set ApartKeep it SimpleProclaim the GospelMotivation for ContinuingSeeing with Earthly EyesGrowing WearyCreator GodSet Your AnchorHearing from GodListeningShout it from the RoofOur ResponseTrust Only in the LordFalling AsleepDrudgeryCalm in the ChaosDust on Your ClothesThe Danger of DoubtWhat Really MattersThe Follow-UpConqueror of Life
Categories
no categories
No Comments