The Importance of Taking Care of God's Creation

Taking care of god’s creation is hard work, and, as discussed in this essay, our mentality of “I do what’s best for me” completely opposes it. We are bombarded with messages and advertisements telling us to make life easier and more convenient, and our own selfishness tendencies tell us “no one else is doing it” and “my contribution really won’t make a difference.” Genesis 1:1-2:15. In this passage, we see Him create intentionally and orderly. He creates for the first three days and fills what He created for the next 3 days. With each step, we see the Lord create each “according to their kind.” And with each step, the Lord sees what He made and declares that it is good.

Everything God made is magnificent. Not only did he create light, animals, stars and human life, he knew his creation would flourish. God affirms his creation due to never-ending knowledge. God uses creation to display his own marvelous qualities and nature. “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” He uses his creation to draw people out of darkness to himself as people see his beauty displayed on earth.

Every day, humans generate millions of tons of garbage. And although a lot of that litter ends up in landfills, some enters the ocean due to accidents or through illegal dumping. Now, researchers have compiled a new database that reveals just how widespread ocean litter is, from the infamous “garbage patches” of the North Pacific to piles of trash on beaches around the world and in the deep ocean. The most polluted spots, which host more than 10 billion pieces of litter per square kilometer, include beaches and patches of sea off the coasts of South Korea and Jordan. Most of that little close to 70% are plastics, with metal and glass contributing to the remainder. And microplastics, shards of plastic smaller than 5 millimeters, are particularly prevalent. That’s because of large pieces of litter breakdown in sunlight and ocean currents. All of our litter means that life under the sea isn’t easy.

The database also reveals that more than 1200 aquatic species mammals and fish and others are coming into contact with the litter by eating it, living in it, or becoming entangled. Carbon dioxide is the climate’s worst enemy. It’s released when oil, coal, and other fossil fuels are burned for energy, the energy we use to power our homes, cars, and smartphones. By using less of it, we can curb our own contribution to climate change while also saving money. Some ways we can prevent this is by Saving water reduces carbon pollution, too. That’s because it takes a lot of energy to pump, heat, and treat your water. So take shorter showers, turn off the tap while brushing your teeth and keep God’s creation in mind before making decisions.

Works Cited

1. Anonymous. (n.d.). Genesis 1:1-2:15. BibleGateway. Retrieved from https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis+1%3A1-2%3A15
2. Carr, D. (2016). The beauty of God's creation. Ministry Magazine, 88(4), 11-14.
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8. Johnson, B. R. (2015). Earth and embodiment: The praxis of creation care in a particular place. Theology Today, 72(2), 170-186.
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