As days go by, we are disturbed by the threat of global warming or climate change. We have accepted the fact that the cause of all these problems is self-inflicted, meaning, we are the only ones to be blamed for this intolerable heat index. It is as if the earth is boiling down within. On a Christian outlook, we can feel that the end of days is just around the bend and the clock is ticking wildly. If the earth’s temperature will continue to rise, it may no longer be able to sustain life and it will be the finish line for all of us. We are the ones destroying our planet… shameless stewards of God’s creation.
Earth’s population continues to grow, and we need to cut down more trees to build our homes, build new roads and bridges, and burn too much fossil fuels for our needs. If these things will go on and there is no action to stop them, then, we are putting ourselves at the greatest risk of being wiped out from this earth and kill ourselves and everything around us. Well, I am not trying to put up a debate here, but I am simply stating a clear fact that we are destined to self-destruction with the way things are going on in our daily existence. Of course, there is no other way for us but to go on with our lives even if the negative results are slowly coming out and are now establishing fear in each one of us.
I am not in a position to offer any suggestions to save our planet. I am just a mere observer of what us happening around and imagining what kind of life would we have for the next 10 more years, or will we still be alive when that time arrives?
I remember my Endocrinologist when I had my medical check up after getting a surgery in my pancreas in the year 2000. After all the explanations regarding my medical condition, I asked him what must I do to regain my health? He simply advised me to go back to the basic things in life and that is all I need to do to get back in shape. It meant for me that I must learn how to eat fruits and vegetables, drink plenty of water, do more physical exercises, and avoid alcohol and cigarettes. Well, I succeeded doing those suggestions for some months, at least.
Now, the same advice is helpful for the future of our planet and of our life here on earth. What ae the basic things that we need to go back to? In this fast-paced world, we can no longer go back to walking or biking our way to our offices, and I understand that. We can no longer go back to eating fresh fruits and vegetables from our farms because even them have been corrupted by pesticides and other fertilizers which are not healthy. We can no longer do away with the use of modern tools and gears which need fuels to make them run. What I know is that we can still go back to become real stewards of God’s creation and be responsible users of God’s gifts. We can try to minimize or limit the use of things that can hurt mother nature. It entails a lot of sacrifice, but we know in the end that it will help our planet to get some rest from our abuses and regenerate on its own. This is the responsibility that we must take seriously.
After the great deluge or the great flood during the time of Noah, God promised that never again will he destroy the earth (Gen. 8:21-21). The view of the rainbow whenever it appears assures us of that promise. So, no amount of man’s waywardness and foolishness can ever set this world on the fires of destruction. It is true that God is still in control of the whole universe and there is no reason for me to doubt this claim. We will continue to live on until the end of days as stated in the Book of Revelations (Rev. 22:12-13). In that second coming of Christ, he will come not as our savior, but he will come as a judge who will judge each one according to his deeds. “Let him who does wrong continue to do wrong; let him who is vile continue to be vile; let him who does right continue to do right; and let him who is holy continue to be holy.” The destruction that we must fear is the destruction of our souls and the punishment in that fiery furnace which was prepared for the wicked.
We cannot destroy our planet, and no one can do that. God is still in control, and this is the good news. However, the sad news is, we will continue to suffer more greatly if we will not accept our failure and decide to change our way of life. If we will continue to ravage our remaining trees, if we will continue to abuse our natural resources, if there will be more chemically invented illnesses intended for mass destruction, well, the earth will still survive… but how long can we survive our self-inflicted troubles. I hope those who are reading this have their own children to nourish and protect. Be mindful that if we are on that brink of losing our minds because of our self-inflicted sufferings, how much more suffering will they bring to our children. So, let us join hands in saving our planet and be responsible stewards of God’s creation. If we do our part well enough, we can be assured that, when he comes for the Second Coming as the judge, he will take us to his kingdom because to be responsible stewards of God’s gifts is an act of holiness.