Recently, I received word that the white spruce pines on the Kensington Baptist Church grounds were the largest in Montgomery County. That is nice but I also know that we are slowly losing them to blight that we have no control over. Already over the last several years, several of these magnificent pines had to be cut down.
Recognizing that I have no control over this matter, I am reminded that there are some things that I do have control over. On April 22nd, the 37th Earth Day was celebrated and during the next few weeks there will be many opportunities for people to help clean up and become more aware of our environment and its care. The amount of trash pulled out of the Anacostia River is overwhelming. If each river or stream throughout our nation becomes a dumping ground for waste, the legacy we will leave future generations will not be one of majestic beauty.
Caring for this our home (earth) is a matter of faith. It is also a matter of stewardship that is just as important as how we handle our money. God has given this world to all of us to use as a resource. This earth is an investment that we are to care for as God's managers. If you waste and spend all your money, then you have nothing left. The planet earth is no different. The Bible says we have been given charge of this earth (Genesis 1:28-30). Therefore, we are responsible for its care so that it can be passed on to future generations. Sadly, we seem to forget this. The world seems to say "WORRY ONLY ABOUT YOURSELF" and that attitude seems to reflect on how we treat the earth.
So what can you and I do about taking care of the world around us? How do we live up to the role of steward? I believe it starts right where we are. We need to ask "What am I doing to take care of the planet right where I live?"
We can start by growing in our RECYCLING. The more we can reuse items, then the less we have to dig into the earth's resources. They are not limitless.
Next we can CONSERVE. Learn to live on less, so that future generations will be able to benefit from this planet's resources. Think about the future and what our present actions are doing. Conservation of water resources can begin with shorter showers, less water in the bath tub or not running the water constantly while brushing your teeth. Other conservation measures are as simple as the choice of light bulbs we use. The options for being good stewards of this earth are endless and they begin right where we live.
Finally, we can BUY WISELY. Look for the recycling emblem and buy items made from recycled products or avoid using items that are harmful to our environment. Such items include Freon and CFC's found in such products such as styrofoam and spray cans. Often, alternative products that are less harmful to our atmosphere are available.
Being a good steward of our environment is more than a good idea. It is a directive from God. It is also a matter of faith and learning to grow in our discipleship. Yes, some of these ideas may cause us to be inconvienced but think what it will mean to our children and grandchildren if we all work together. Changing the world begins one action at a time and it is mutiplied immensely when we work together.
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