Caring for the planet

In prehistoric times it was customary to throw perfectly crafted tools into ditches and waterways etc to give thanks to the spirits assumed by the people to ensure that their lives continued with sustenance and care. Just as in biblical times when sacrifices had to be perfect in every way, so the prehistoric hunter made sure that his axe, scraper or arrow was perfect in order to become a votive offering to the spirits whom he assumed were the controllers of life. He knew whence life came. He saw energy in the sun, fertility in the soil and the means of assuaging thirst in the waterways. So he gave thanks by casting into the voids these implements which he had made.

The prehistoric hunter and farmer was no fool. He understood where all life came from and worshipped that source. Today we do the same and put a name to that great source of life. God has given us all that we have and all that we are. His generosity has known no bounds. He has provided all that we need in terms of sustenance. When we say, "God is good!" we mean it. The statement is justified!

Going back to the Book of Genesis we read how God's spirit was hovering over the surface of the water. At that time the earth began to take shape. We may say that it was all created as a single entity or we may say we see a process called evolution. Either way we see that it is God's creation. From that ancient story of creation we see that God placed us in charge of the planet and its animals of each sort.

This, therefore, gives us very important levels of responsibility. As a small boy I used to wonder when the reserves of coal would run out and what we would do without this precious resource. My mother sued to smile at the thought of the earth running short of resources, thinking this was simply childish thinking on my part. Yet I have been proved correct. The World's resources are gradually getting less and therefore unable to sustain us. To continue to just take, take, take from the earth is to close our eyes and say, "Well, it will see me out" is completely wrong. It is to be totally unconcerned about what God has given us, and that is not right!

Just imagine - God has made us in his image which means we are to see everything from his perspective as trustworthy custodians of this planet on which we have been set. It is not just a place to be raped of every resource and we just expect the whole thing to be topped up again. God made me a responsible person. Therefore I must act that way in my approach to caring for this beautiful planet.

In John 21 we have the story of Jesus and the beach barbecue. Sitting there by the fire on the beach, Jesus asks Peter if he loves him. "Yes, Lord. You know I love you!" says Peter. Jesus answers, "Then feed my sheep." In other words, if we have responsibilities we have to discharge them sensibly and carefully. To be a responsible Christian includes not just church worship but also includes going out and caring for the planet and its people. We can see the single reason why the problem faces us. It is because resources mean power and power is lusted after by the greedy. The powerful people of life are quite prepared to denude the earth of its resources as long as there is profit in it for them.

The whole reason for nations being unable to reach agreement on carbon discharge and climate change is that it will cost a great deal of money and mean their profits take a plunge over the short term. Where would they get a fix to fill the gap? We already see nations turning off oil supplies that pass through their land for political gain. So we even have resources used as a weapon.

It is time that the penny dropped and made us all realise our responsibilities whilst we prepare to safeguard generations to come. If we continue to keep on worshipping power and money we are doomed. Only when we see the light that illuminates the work to be done is the world going to become a safe place for many generations to come.