We’re to love the earth. Not as an end to itself, but as something that God has made, something that reflects the glory of God.
As a Texan, it’s right to love Texas, to long to see the sunsets that stretch out for miles and miles. As a Coloradan, it’s right to love Colorado, to relish the sight of towering mountains and green forests. As a Floridian, the ocean should call to you. Arizonans should find peace in the desert colors.
Because God made it.
It’s right to love the place that you’re from. I have reservations, however, about loving the man-made systems connected with that place. I’m not saying that nothing that man does can glorify God, but if we’re not careful, they end up glorifying man, instead.
Thoughts that struck me on Earth Day. Does any of that make sense? Or am I on the wrong track?
Love what God did much more than what man has done.
Agree?
I agree that God’s creation is awesome. Flying over the mountains from Houston to LA is a absolutely glorious sight. Seeing God’s creation in space is equally awesome, but we see that through man-made telescopes. Does this not bring glory to God? If we are to be like God, isn’t being creative part of that? Good music, pictures that show us amazing sights, good and inspirational movies, good books, etc. are all part of the creative process. Sure, anything can be abused (atomic energy for good or bad for instance) but still, creating things can bring glory to God. Roads that lead to the mountains or oceans, to the Painted Desert or Grand Canyon can cause us to be thankful. I think there is a balance in all of this. Anyway, that’s my view.
George,
Thanks for the comment. I guess I’m trying to take my cues from the Psalms. There is some praise for Jerusalem and for the temple, though I’m not sure if that praise is because of the beauty of what man had done or because of what was represented (the presence of God).
When the disciples marveled at the temple construction, Jesus seems unimpressed, merely pointing out that all of that would be thrown down in the near future.
Still working through this. Thanks for the input!
When man’s creative works become his god, they become like a modern Tower of Bable that God will destroy. In Genesis, God destroyed that tower by dividing mankind into tribal and national groups. Today, it is that very tribalism and nationalism that threatens the destruction of all that man has made because of our pride and arrogance in our power to make these things, even things that literally can destroy all we have created. (Interestingly, my iPad suggested “cremate” as I was typing the last word of the previous sentence. And that is exactly what we have the power to do to all we have created.) Should we do that, all that would be left would be that which God has made. 2 Peter indicates that all the works of man will be burned up before the coming of the new heavens and the new earth.
Will that be by a conflagration caused by man himself or will God initiate it? I do not know, but I know that none of the works of man can compare to the beauties of God’s creation, though as the previous commenter noted, man certainly can glorify God through our God-given creative powers. Even today we marvel at the beauty of the Ancient Greek and Roman gods – yet it was those gods and the rejection of the True and Living God that led to the destruction of that civilization.
We must beware that we do not allow our gods that we have made for ourselves (the gods of military & economic power along with the gods of knowledge & pleasure) to destroy us.