It's been a long time since I've posted anything here! But I have started taking seminary classes and wanted to share this essay I recently wrote. Happy Earth Day!
Is there more for us to do besides honoring God as the creator of this good world? Yes! The first job humans were given in the Bible was to care for creation. Sadly, many people have concluded that Genesis 1:26-28 gives mankind a sort of blank check to abuse and take advantage of creation in a way that looks nothing like the stewardship God intended. Author Christopher J.H. Wright states, "We are given the mission of ruling over creation, but we are to do it in ways that are modeled on the character and values of God's own kingship. … The image of God is not a license for arrogant abuse, but a pattern that commits us to humble reflection of the character of God (Wright 51)." God created this beautiful world. Would he have placed us here to neglect and harm it? Those who claim Genesis 1:26-28 as a license for earth use and abuse may be forgetting that Genesis 2:15 (CEB) says, "The Lord God took the human and settled him in the garden of Eden to farm it and to take care of it. (italics mine)" Before there was sin, humanity was given the task of caring for the earth and it was all declared GOOD. Though tending and working the earth has been harder since the fall of Genesis 3, it is still our calling and blessing as humans to care for creation. This is still GOOD! But what does that mean for us in 2026?
Let's start by asking the Holy Spirit to show us what is in our hearts. Are we prideful or angry about how policy makers have treated local or global environmental issues? Do we see "creation" as God's workmanship but "the environment" as something less holy? Have we dismissed our creation care responsibility because alone we feel like can't make a difference or we don't know where to start? Do we see humanity as belonging here and having a God-given purpose? As the Holy Spirit reveals our hearts, we may need to change our attitudes or actions. Here are some specific steps we might take.
 |
| Giant Sequoia Photo by Nina Luong on Unsplash |
I have sweet childhood memories of driving with my family through the Sierra Nevada mountains singing "How Great Thou Art" and "Majesty" on our way to Hume Lake. We always sensed God's presence in the mountains. My mother in particular taught us to take the joy we felt and turn it into worship of the one who created it all. I was raised to look for and rejoice in God's glory in the night sky and the ocean's horizons, but my convictions get messier when I think about climate change, environmental regulations, and public policies. Can you relate? Whether we like it or not, talking about the health of this planet we all live on can trigger our emotions and stir disagreement, denial, indignation, or disillusionment. However, as followers of Jesus, it's worth considering how God made creation to bless us and how God calls us to bless and care for creation as faithful stewards.
How does creation bless us? Looking out my window at this moment I see trees that provide fruit and shade, sunlight that causes plants to grow, and blue sky that refreshes my soul. Scientific studies have shown over and over that spending time in nature is good for our mental and physical health. We know it's good for kids to spend time outside. We also know the earth provides a home for every species of our world as well as ground for our food to grow in. The earth keeps us alive and helps us thrive, but creation's blessings don't stop with these tangible, physical effects.
Creation teaches us about God. Psalm 19:1-2 (CEB) tells us "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the expanse proclaims the work of his hands. Day after day they pour out speech; night after night they communicate knowledge." Romans 1:20 (CEB) tells us God's "invisible attributes, that is, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen since the creation of the world, being understood through what he has made…" In nature we see God's power, creativity, beauty, gentleness, faithfulness, brilliance, wisdom, and love. Historically, cultures around the world have connected nature and spirituality. Our culture, however, tends to divide the sacred and the natural or secular. Perhaps our Christian forefathers were trying to avoid idolatry or worshipping the earth itself, but our good God made this good world and it reflects his glory. When we marvel at what God has made and let creation declare his glory to us, we will be led to worship and God will be honored.
 |
| Photo by NASA on Unsplash |
Is there more for us to do besides honoring God as the creator of this good world? Yes! The first job humans were given in the Bible was to care for creation. Sadly, many people have concluded that Genesis 1:26-28 gives mankind a sort of blank check to abuse and take advantage of creation in a way that looks nothing like the stewardship God intended. Author Christopher J.H. Wright states, "We are given the mission of ruling over creation, but we are to do it in ways that are modeled on the character and values of God's own kingship. … The image of God is not a license for arrogant abuse, but a pattern that commits us to humble reflection of the character of God (Wright 51)." God created this beautiful world. Would he have placed us here to neglect and harm it? Those who claim Genesis 1:26-28 as a license for earth use and abuse may be forgetting that Genesis 2:15 (CEB) says, "The Lord God took the human and settled him in the garden of Eden to farm it and to take care of it. (italics mine)" Before there was sin, humanity was given the task of caring for the earth and it was all declared GOOD. Though tending and working the earth has been harder since the fall of Genesis 3, it is still our calling and blessing as humans to care for creation. This is still GOOD! But what does that mean for us in 2026?
Let's start by asking the Holy Spirit to show us what is in our hearts. Are we prideful or angry about how policy makers have treated local or global environmental issues? Do we see "creation" as God's workmanship but "the environment" as something less holy? Have we dismissed our creation care responsibility because alone we feel like can't make a difference or we don't know where to start? Do we see humanity as belonging here and having a God-given purpose? As the Holy Spirit reveals our hearts, we may need to change our attitudes or actions. Here are some specific steps we might take.
 |
| Photo by Ignacio Brosa on Unsplash |
RECONNECT with creation. Commit to spending more time outdoors. Look for green spaces or parks. Get out of the city! Ask God to meet you in these places and speak to you through creation around you. Perhaps take time to sit under a tree, on the grass, or next to a river and read about God's creative power in Job 38-41 or Psalm 104. Be encouraged as you consider how God cares for the flowers and birds as you read Matthew 6:26-30. Be inspired to trust God's faithfulness as you read Psalm 121:1-2.
RESPOND to creation. As you take some time to contemplate how creation reflects God's glory, let the Holy Spirit lead you to creative worship. Sing a new song about what you see! Paint or sketch or gather some bits and pieces of leaves or feathers for a collage. If it feels silly, find a child and do these things together. Childlike wonder is a wonderful antidote to adult self-consciousness. Even just playing a game of soccer or tag or hide and seek could be a way to enjoy and rejoice in the world God has given us.
RECLAIM your place as a steward of creation. Psalm 24:1 (CEB) tells us "The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants too." This place belongs to God and he has entrusted it to us. We may not all form public and international policies, but we can each take steps that will add up and make a difference. We can use less plastic. We can turn our AC up a degree or two in the summer. We can waste less water and buy less (of everything!) We can join efforts to clean up trash in our neighborhoods. With the Holy Spirit's guidance and strength, we can remember we are called to care for our home and God has given us the power we need to be good stewards of this land that declares his glory. Let's enjoy the blessings of creation and bless creation in response as an act of humility, gratitude, and worship.
RESPOND to creation. As you take some time to contemplate how creation reflects God's glory, let the Holy Spirit lead you to creative worship. Sing a new song about what you see! Paint or sketch or gather some bits and pieces of leaves or feathers for a collage. If it feels silly, find a child and do these things together. Childlike wonder is a wonderful antidote to adult self-consciousness. Even just playing a game of soccer or tag or hide and seek could be a way to enjoy and rejoice in the world God has given us.
RECLAIM your place as a steward of creation. Psalm 24:1 (CEB) tells us "The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants too." This place belongs to God and he has entrusted it to us. We may not all form public and international policies, but we can each take steps that will add up and make a difference. We can use less plastic. We can turn our AC up a degree or two in the summer. We can waste less water and buy less (of everything!) We can join efforts to clean up trash in our neighborhoods. With the Holy Spirit's guidance and strength, we can remember we are called to care for our home and God has given us the power we need to be good stewards of this land that declares his glory. Let's enjoy the blessings of creation and bless creation in response as an act of humility, gratitude, and worship.