Environmental issues are in the news all the time, whether it is sewage in our rivers or the new British ‘monsoon season’ each winter, or the decline of many of our wild animals, such as hedgehogs. It’s not a very cheerful message, so how should we respond as Christians?
Psalm 24 begins: “The Earth is the Lord’s and everything in it.”
All life on this Earth belongs to God – he has created it and loves everything that he has made. This means as Christians that we should care for God’s creation as part of our Christian faith. It is not an extra, that we might do if we have time, but something at the heart of what it means to be a Christian.
In Numbers 35:34, it says: “Do not defile the land where you live and where I, the Lord, dwell.”
The Old Testament has much to say about this.
Just as we make our own homes, welcoming spaces for our families, so we should care for God’s nature around us by keeping it free of pollution and rubbish.
In Leviticus 25, there are instructions about giving land rest every seven years, and, in the Ten Commandments, the day of rest is for animals as well as humans. In our modern world, we ask more and more from nature, and it is essential that we do give it rest by making spaces for God’s nature to thrive. In the New Testament, Jesus reflects God’s care for nature.
In Matthew 10:29, he says “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.”
So, as nature begins to spring into action this spring, let’s see if we can take extra care to protect and nurture the living world that God loves.
– Martin Hodson
This article originally appeared in the St John’s Messenger. If you would like to discuss contributing a future article please contact news@valebenefice.org.uk.
