Saving the earth

Jesus said to them, "My Father is always at his work to this very day" (John 5:17).

We can save the world. At least, that’s what we’re told. We can save the world by living ‘green.’ We can save the world if we reduce our carbon footprint. We can save the world if we reduce consumption and recycle our waste. We have to save the world, because we depend on it for life. If we foul it with pollution or exhaust its resources, it will lose the capacity to sustain us.

But how much are you prepared to sacrifice in order to save the world? Are you willing to endure hot summer days without air conditioning? Are you willing to wear a sweater at home during winter so you can turn down the heat? Are you willing to park the car and get around using your feet, a bike, or public transportation? Are you willing to give up consumer electronics like cell phones and computers because they contain toxic metals? Are you willing to reduce garbage by using cloth diapers instead of disposables? Since recycling consumes energy, are you willing to stop buying drinks that come in plastic bottles or aluminum cans? Are you willing to mend clothing and fix appliances instead of replacing them with something new?

Even if you are willing to do all these things, can your actions really save the planet? Can you persuade everyone in your family to live this way? Can you get your boss to make his business fully ‘green’? And what about people living in other countries? Can they all be convinced to live sustainable lifestyles? All things considered, how much impact will your sacrifices really make?

I like to breathe clean air. I like the taste of fresh water. I don’t like seeing litter blowing in the ditch, and I don’t like seeing leftovers being thrown away after a meal. God gave us the responsibility to care for this world and manage its resources wisely.

But I can’t save the world, and you can’t either. What we can do is use what God gives us responsibly. We don’t do it to make ourselves feel good; we do it to honor God for blessing us with His gifts. Saving the world is a job for the Lord; He made it and He cares for it, each and every day. If you trust in God, you can be sure that our world is safe in His mighty hands.