Caring for Creation

Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. God blessed them; and God said to them, "Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth." Then God said, "Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree which has fruit yielding seed; it shall be food for you; and to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the sky and to every thing that moves on the earth which has life, I have given every green plant for food"; and it was so.

Genesis 1:26-30

God created us in His image to rule the earth. This isn't in a way that's equal with God's dominion, absolutely not. But He gave us the earth to take care of. Like the homes and other things given to us we are to look at the whole earth as our possession to nurture, till & prepare for harvest. We cannot just pass through this world without caring for it. It's part of God's design for us and we're missing it.

I've recently been enlightened to this truth and I haven't done much about it. Does this mean that I become a tree-hugger and focus all my efforts to going green and saving the environment? Yes and no. It means that I need to take care of this earth in the ways God appoints me. When the opportunities arise, take it. Jesus had many opportunities to pass people by on the road to Calvary but that didn't prevent Him from healing and ministering to those around Him. I need to open my eyes to see God's creation for what it is, magnificent and wonderful. Only when I'm in awe can I appreciate God's wonder.

Heavenly Father, so awesome and wonderful is the Creator of all. Thank You for Your everlasting peace and encouragement this past year. So many opportunities to follow You but too many missed ones. Help me Lord to follow You with an unyielding heart, thirsting for You in the most heavenly ways. I love You, Amen!