While looking for a picture to represent this month’s blog on the topic of Earth Day, I came across just about every “platform” out there; stop global warming, prevent nuclear war, ban plastics, use clean energy, save the oceans, save the trees, save the [insert endangered animal here], I could go on and on. In the same way, when scanning for a familiar clip of a man holding a sign announcing “the end is near,” I was surprised by the vast array of similar animations created - most depicting an old man dressed like a prophet, conveying coming judgement from God. I finally decided to combine two simple drawings that I feel best describes this world today.
Please note that I am not addressing the choice to recycle, use reusable bags, avoid bottled water, or picking up litter (all legitimate ways to lessen the trash pollution we are currently experiencing). Nor am I saying not to plant a tree or tend a garden (also legitimate ways to draw closer to God, if done in worship). I am referring to the vast array of “causes” that seek our attention, finances and time. Causes with an underlying agenda, based on the idea that we have the ability to return this planet to a Garden of Eden-like state.
There have always been those who use fear tactics to get our attention. Some will use any unusual situation or event that “seems to” convey either we as humans destroying ourselves or God’s wrath coming upon us, as a platform for their agenda. Attracting notice through our emotions is nothing new either. Images of endangered baby animals, trashy beaches, and swaths of land ripped clear of trees, can all make our hearts hurt; and rightly so. We have done a terrible job tending this planet we call Earth. And while the Bible does tell us we will face judgement from God, there is a reason it is not the focus of the Gospel.
People run from “warnings of doom” in various ways: some feign ignorance in hopes of someone else resolving the problem; some scoff and carry on as usual; while others become fearful and try to prepare for Armageddon. Unfortunately, all these responses only serve to widen the rift between us and God, the only one who has the power to do anything. This goes for believers and non-believers alike.
Those that do take a stance are made up mostly, if not fully, of two kinds of people - doers and talkers. The talkers complain about what we are doing to this world, but are unwilling to give up their own comfort to help make a difference. Only interested in the financial gain that can be made from using the world’s deterioration as a platform; they are like the large consumers holding the “Save the Planet” sign - which, if magnified, would reveal a tiny disclaimer, “but not at my expense.” Some doers start out with good intentions, but somewhere along the way of trying to “create” a better world (there-in lies the problem), they instead make a religion out of their concern for this planet; replacing the Creator with creation as their god. Knowingly or unknowingly, they worship “mother” nature: animals, trees, oceans, the sun and moon – just as Apostle Paul described those who made idols of animals and false gods:
“They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen” (Romans 1:25) [my emphasis].
Though I am certainly not denying the truth of this suffering world; such tactics often do more harm than good. Yes, these strategies may get someone to throw money at a problem - which is usually the agenda anyway - but rarely do they convince someone to make significant changes to their lifestyle. The whole idea of “if everyone did X, Y, and Z…” is a misnomer since there is no way all people will ever focus on the same priority – at least not until Jesus returns. The main concern we, as followers of Jesus should have, is the ruse Satan is using to keep our eyes off God. Simply put, we are focusing on the wrong problem.
Judgement is warned about in the Bible, though will not be about our treatment of earth. God does seek change; heart change. His plan is not about us preventing the destruction of this planet. This evil and fallen world is no longer our home. That ship sailed right out of the garden with Adam and Eve. God’s focus is, and always has been about our relationship with Him, and our obedience to His Kingdom rule. If Adam and Eve had succeeded at this, this world wouldn’t have been plunged into destruction and decay. The New Living Translation of the Bible says it very well:
“… all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time” (Romans 8:19-22) [my emphasis].
Before you start rationalizing this as God’s will, think again. It was Satan’s will that overcame Adam and Eve’s hearts. It was mankind’s will that caused the curse on creation. From that moment on, God has done everything within a plan to restore mankind, at which time He will also lift that curse. Jesus made it abundantly clear that we are to focus on eternal things, and He will handle the earthly things. When Peter took Jesus aside to rebuke Him for depicting His own death…
“Jesus turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.’
“Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?’” (Matthew 16:23, 24 & 26a) [my emphasis].
The world is full of people carrying crosses. Unfortunately, the crosses they carry are of this world. They are not the ones Jesus desire they carry, nor are they following Him.
There’s a saying I heard recently, “If you think we have wrecked this planet, wait until you see what God does to it!” God’s word makes no secret as to what is going to happen to this planet, and how we can watch for the “beginning of birth pangs” (Matthew 24:8) – though we cannot know the day or the hour (vs.36). Most importantly, His word tells us what to do beforehand. God’s word tells us things are going to get far worse before they get better; and it is not in our control to prevent what’s coming. Our attention should not be so much on this decaying planet, that we ignore the commission of expanding the Kingdom of God. We should not be so concerned with saving animals (their abuse breaks my heart too), lest we forget the people created in God’s image, who are prisoners of a spiritual war for their very souls.
God is God. We are not. No matter how many changes we make, we cannot create our own utopia. Only God has the ability, the power, the grace and the authority to make things new. If He created it, He can recreate it. If He has decided to send His wrath and destroy everything first, He has that right. Frankly, we do deserve it, yet we needn’t be afraid – which brings us back to the Gospel message.
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!” (Romans 5:8-10) [my emphasis].
So, some questions remain. Are you saved? If not, then instead of allowing fear, indifference, or earthly gains drive you away from God; allow His love, His promises and His warnings pull you closer to Him. Read His word. Seek His Kingdom. Accept salvation by His grace offered to you through Jesus’ sacrifice.
For those who claim Jesus as Lord; while we should certainly respect and appreciate God’s creation; our hearts, minds, and resources need to remain on God’s concerns. When Jesus was made King, given all authority, soon to ascend and be seated at the right hand of God, His concerns were not of this world, but that of His Kingdom:
Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20) [my emphasis].
This year, let Earth Day be a day of worship to God. Let us open our eyes to the beauty that remains, and praise Him. Let it not be a day of focusing on how to “save” this planet, but instead be a reminder of Jesus, the creator of all, and what He sacrificed to save us!
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.”
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:1-3, 14) [my emphasis].
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