Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-

Stewardship of Environment

Daniel Thomas

Orlando MTC, Florida
15 The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it.
 
Life becomes meaningful when we are in relationship with the Creator and His creation.  The intention of the Creator is not that we live in isolation, but that we include everything that was created.  In creation the life system is mutually sustaining.  Together it is effective and powerful.  A rope is strong and effective, not each individual fiber.  The very existence of every living being is dependent upon the equilibrium of the environment.
 
Genesis chapter 2 highlights the role of humans as fellow creatures and caretakers of the earth.  "The Lord took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it "(Gen. 2:15).  Being a caretaker doesn't involve total dominion or freedom to do as he/she likes but to obey God's rule on earth.  And God's rule is not the rule of tyranny but the rule of benevolence that serves the interest and well being of all of His created subjects.  Thus the created order is maintained.
 
The world we live in is created by God and humans who are created in His image and likeness (Gen. 1:26) are placed in it, so that they may live together happily and abundantly.  However, as time passed the planet earth has changed drastically by environmental pollution, industrial greenhouse gases, and indiscriminate dumping of harmful wastes.  Even the oceans are becoming acidic to a point that no beautiful creature and plants can survive in it and it may soon reach a point of extinction.  We now live in a world created by God but modified and recreated by man according to his own selfish motive.  Man thus changed his role from stewardship to one of ownership.  All these have been the result of human sin towards nature in various forms.
 
Dalai Lama said, "We humans have the responsibility as well as the capability to protect the earth and its habitats - animals, plants, insects and even micro organisms.  If they are to be known by future generations, we must act now."  We are summoned to enter the cosmic sanctuary.  We are to marvel with the diversity of life in creation.  The Creator has given us the power to convey His blessings to all creation, a power that we sometimes turn selfishly towards ourselves.  Let us tend to the creation below and seek guidance that are above.

PRAYER

Gracious Father, forgive our selfish attitude towards the environment.  Strengthen us to be a part to maintain Your intention of creation.  Amen
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
To mistreat God's creation is to offend the Creator.  Author Unknown

Popular posts from this blog

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
  Constant, patient and welcoming love of God   St. Luke 15: 11-32  V.21: And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ The parable of the ‘Prodigal son’ is one of the most frequently quoted parables that Jesus told His disciples. The parable contains the rich mine of human virtues and emotions. This parable is lived and re-lived in progressing civilizations from time immemorial and continuing. It brings out in vivid detail the pathetic depth of human sinfulness and the glorious heights of God’s forgiveness.      As a story of human nature, fathers are generally merciful to their children in any circumstance. They are very protective and are eager to provide for and secure the lives of their offspring. Jesus is telling this parable to underscore the superlative love of God to His children. The nature of such love is reiterated by Jesus in Matthew 7:11. Humankind who are evil by nature, give good gifts t
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
PRIESTHOOD: THE ANOINTED MINISTRY Exodus 40:12-16 Bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting... wash them with water. Then dress Aaron in the sacred garments, anoint him and consecrate him so he may serve me as priest (Exodus 40: 12-13). Priesthood among the people of God was a divine command and initiation. God wanted some people to be separated for the special ministry among his people. God appointed Aaron and his descendants to take up this kind of ministry among the people of God. Priests are always separated and appointed as channels that connect God with his people. All throughout the history of Israel, priests played an important role in connecting people with God and to lead and guide them in the statutes of God. But there are incidents in the Bible where the priests failed in their duties and that led the people to go away from God. So the priests have a special and significant ministry to perform in this world among his people. Two important things
Read more

Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

-
Revelation for Liberation Acts 27:18-26 Sherine Thomas Long Island MTC, NY 20  When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest raged, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned. “After winter comes the summer.  After night comes the dawn.  And after every storm, there comes clear open skies” so said a Scottish clergyman from the 1600s. It’s been said, that hope can sometimes be the most dangerous weapon.  However, it’s sometimes the hardest weapon to carry when you’re living with the loss of a loved one, something that almost feels like a terrible nightmare that’ll never go away.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry when day in and day out no one seems to hear or see those tears that are shed or silent cries that are made during a heartfelt prayer. It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you see your loved one lying on that hospital bed.  It’s a weapon difficult to carry as you search and seek out answers to tell a child as to why they’ve been a
Read more