Our Gift

As a Christian, the hope I have is undeniable but dangerous. If I focus on that hope, create an attitude within myself of “this Earth is not my true home”, I could miss out on the amazing things God has for me. This Earth is my home right now and the people on it, my ministry. What kind of an example of Christianity would I be if I wasn’t an environmentalist?

Have you noticed that the majority of environmentalists are Atheist? Why is that so?

I am not denying the fact of Heaven nor am I saying that we should forget about it as are true home. I am saying that as image bearers of Christ we must be concerned with the gift this Earth is to us. God gave us this world as a gift, He gave it to us to cherish not destroy.

I was never one to recycle nor did I ever think I would someday consider myself an environmentalist. I considered myself a “good Christian” because I went to church and told other people that I was a Christian and that they should go to church too. What did my example give them to go by? How did they see Christians? As a social group that sings songs and talk about some distant God?

Do you believe in Natural Revelation?

Why do we not care if we ourselves or others are destroying that natural revelation of God?

We all hear about pollution and the disappearing rainforests but many never stop to realize how clearly one can see God in his own creation. Atheists refuse to see God in His creation but that does not mean His creation is not screaming his existence every day. If you want to see God’s presence open your eyes to wonder in awe at His awesome creation.

I used to live in Florida, a place most people view as paradise, beaches, the sun, and some days, blue skies. Thinking about it now, I was surrounded by the glory and grace of God. Even now as I live in the mountains of Northeast PA, I am awe struck by His work. It is almost like God is saying, “Hey! I am here; I exist, look, and worship me!”. I realize that after the Fall of Man in Genesis the world became a different place, a place with famine, drought, HURRICANES, tornados…the list could go on. But, on a clear day here in PA, when the mountains light up and the colors of autumn burst out, I realize how great our God is. I think to myself, “I don’t deserve this, thank you God.”

“The most selfless thing a perfect being could do is create others to worship him.”
- Searching for God Knows What
By Donald Miller

This Earth He has created is a gift, a gift that gives a tiny glimpse of how amazing God is. He created it for our enjoyment. It and everything on it declares His glory. The mountains, hurricanes, tornados, beaches, forests…even the people who refuse to admit His existence.

Don’t think they do? Listen to some secular music, not the words, their voices…some of those people have the most beautiful voices I have ever heard!

Can you see God, hear Him in that beauty. Do you know how they got those voices?

Denying God does not erase the deceleration of His presence with every breath.

This Earth is ours; it reveals God to those who otherwise would refuse to see Him. Let’s take care of it, and show others what we see, and tell them how we are so lucky to see it!