Why Should Christians Care for Creation?

God has placed us in a wondrous world. From the depths of the oceans to the canopies of the rain forests, from blooming gardens to majestic glaciers, we are surrounded by the beauty and majesty of all God has made.

What’s more, we understand God has called us to care for creation. But if we’re honest, we also understand we have, in large part, failed to actually answer this call. We must confront the small and big ways we’ve neglected creation, admit we’ve disregarded it, and be honest about the harmful results of our actions to the planet and the people who live there. And then we must answer the call, understanding our concern for creation as a renewed expression of our faith.

We care for creation because of our love for others. We recognize that our actions have a direct impact on others in the world. Our contributions to the global climate crisis, for example, may speed the advent of food shortages around the globe, and in so doing, place us in conflict with Jesus admonition to feed others in his name.

What’s more, we care for creation because of our love for God. Put simply, God made the earth and left it in our care. Why confess we love God and then disregard what God has made? Instead, let our love be seen by the way we care for all God has called good.

And ultimately, we care for creation encouraged by our hope for the future. Though the outlook is grim, we still believe Jesus is making all things new. And so we have hope that our efforts on behalf of creation are not in vain. Imagine what will happen when the church commits itself to being part of the solution.

Imagine what it will look like when we work together, to use less, to reuse more, to travel, work and to live in ways that are more conscious of the footprints we leave. Affecting real change will not be easy, but that does not mean we should not try. God has truly placed us in a wondrous world. May we now live in gratitude for it and to preserve and protect it for all God’s children.