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Genesis 1:20-31; Revelation 21:5-7; John 21:15-17
Introduction
Brothers and sisters in Christ, Peace be unto You...
Our reflections are on the profound responsibility God has given us: the care and stewardship of His creation. From the moment He breathed life into the universe, God declared His creation good and placed us, humankind, at the center of it, not just as inhabitants but as stewards, caretakers, and protectors.
I traveled recently to the Eastern Region of Ghana. The view of the river bodies of the area has all turned into thick brown due to "galamsey" activities. From what my eyes beheld, I believe all the natural living organisms in the river bodies have been annihilated. This underscores the research that in a few years to come, Ghana will be importing drinking water.
Just a week ago, the youth of the Presbyterian Church of Ghana demonstrated against this ungodly selfish act with the Moderator issuing a statement about that. This topic for our reflections is timely to bring into perspective our Christian duty to God's creation.
As we delve into the Scriptures, we will explore what it means to care for God's creation, not only as a command from God but as an act of worship and love.
"And God saw that it was Good"
In Genesis 1, we witness the grandeur of God’s creation. From the birds of the air to the fishes of the sea and river bodies, and from the livestock, creeping things of the earth to the wild animals, and to humanity formed in the very image of God. God created everything with intentionality and purpose. After each phase of creation, He declared what He saw; "It was good." After all creation, God looked at them together as a network of units and there He said "It was very good." (Gen. 1:31).
In Genesis 1:28, God commands Adam and Eve to “be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.”
Here, "dominion" does not mean exploitation or destruction, but stewardship. We are to rule over creation in a way that reflects God's own love and care. As image-bearers of God, we must nurture the earth and all it contains, ensuring that it flourishes and thrives, just as God intended.
Yet, when we look around at the state of our world today—pollution, filth, climate change, open-air defecation, deforestation—we must ask ourselves: are we truly living up to this mandate? People are dying because of this 'galamsey' activity. People are giving away their cocoa farms for 'galamsey' because of a desire for quick money.
Is this our way of thanking God for His beautiful creation?
Caring for God's Flock and Creation
In John 21, we read the famous conversation between Jesus and Peter, where Jesus asks Peter three times, “Lovest thou me?” Each time, Jesus intimated, “Feed my lamb ... feed my sheep ... feed sheep.”
While this passage primarily speaks of spiritual care, the metaphor of shepherding can also be extended to how we care for the earth. Just as Peter was called to tend to the flock, we are called to tend to the earth and all living things in it. Let us not forget that we took on this responsibility we named the creation of God.
Caring for God's creation is an act of love, not only for the earth but also for our fellow human beings. As the earth thrives, so do we. The air we breathe, the food we eat, and the water we drink are all dependent on a healthy, flourishing creation. Therefore, when we neglect the earth, we are neglecting our brothers and sisters, especially the vulnerable and marginalized, who are most affected by environmental degradation.
In tending to the needs of creation, we are showing our love for God. As Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). His commandments include the care of His creation, which He entrusted to us from the very beginning.
The Promise of New Creation
In Revelation 21, we are given a glimpse of the future where God promises to "make all things new." This is a vision of a restored creation, where the brokenness and damage caused by sin and neglect are fully healed. God Himself declares, “It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely” (Revelation 21:6).
This passage actually makes it clear how God has lost His "good" creation due to our poor stewardship and now gives hope in Christ—that one day, all creation will be renewed. However, we are going to account for our stewardship of the dominion mandate He gave us. Therefore, we do not have the license to neglect our responsibilities today. The new creation is not merely a distant hope, but a call to action now. God is at work restoring creation, and we are invited to participate in that restoration.
Our role as stewards means that we are co-laborers with God in preserving and protecting what He has made. Just as we await the new heaven and new earth, we must actively work to restore and protect the earth that we have today.
Conclusion
Beloved, our call to care for creation is deeply rooted in Scripture. From Genesis to Revelation, we see that God cares about His creation and calls us to be faithful stewards. This is not just an environmental issue; it is a spiritual issue, a matter of obedience and love for God.
Let us, therefore, commit ourselves to caring for God's creation, not just for our own benefit, but because it is a sacred duty. Let us remember that every act of care—whether it’s planting a tree, conserving water, recycling waste, reclaiming the land, or advocating for policies that protect the environment—is an act of worship and a reflection of our love for the Creator. As we await the promise of a new heaven and a new earth, may we live as faithful stewards, knowing that what we do today matters in the grand scope of God's eternal plan. Amen.
Shalom aleikhem...
