More than a Playground

I am writing this from La Presa, a small town in Atenas, Costa Rica. There
are mangos, star fruits, and bananas scattered across the lawn. Toucans are
perched in the trees, and iguanas are sunbathing on the roof. It rains
every day—a beautiful, cooling rain. We’re surrounded by mountains and
tropical rainforests. There’s no air-conditioning and no hot water, but
somehow everything feels incredibly fresh.

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While I’m here, I spend my weekdays studying ecology and
ecosystem conservation at the School for Field Studies, and in doing so,
I’ve been exposed to an incredible amount of literature on
environmentalism. To be honest, environmentalism had never really
interested me before. But as I read and learn about all sorts of methods of
sustainability and conservation, I can’t help but wonder about the
relationship between environmentalism and Christianity.

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God’s charge regarding our relationship with nature actually begins in
Genesis, the very first book of the Bible. God tells us that Adam’s duty in
the Garden of Eden was to “work it and take care of it” (2:15). And God
blessed Adam and Eve to fill the earth and care for every creature in it
(1:26-28). Think about that. The universe is nothing less than God’s
masterpiece, a testament of His love, glory, and beauty. And He has
entrusted it to us—His people, His children!

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We are stewards of God’s creation. The entire universe—including our
planet—is the wonderful creation of a perfect God, and the only appropriate
response for Christians is to embrace our calling as stewards of the
natural environment. In everything we do, we need to remember that the
world is so much more than our playground. It’s a beautiful gift to us, and
it’s where Jesus Christ will one day return. Then heaven will meet earth,
and He will renew and restore all things. Now, Jesus calls us to be part of
His life-giving work, even as we are filled by the sure hope of His return.
So let’s do everything we can to preserve the earth God has given us. •
Christian Davis

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• What is one of your favorite parts of creation? Consider taking a moment
to thank God for this.

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• What are some ways we can be faithful stewards of creation in our
everyday lives?

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• How can we enjoy the natural environment and its benefits in ways that
are honoring to God?

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The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and
take care of it. Genesis 2:15 (NIV)

Read Verses:

Genesis 1:26-Genesis 1:31; Genesis 2:15; Psalm 8