Praying for an Eagerness to Change

Being back home has brought up the guilt again that comes with the luxury of driving a car (a midst other luxuries). Living in a society that functions off oil and inevitably contributes to carbon emissions, it's easy to be overwhelmed by the whole climate change issue. Of course it's something we have been aware of for years now, but how has my lifestyle really changed? We all know that the polar bears are struggling and the glaciers are melting. But we'll cross that bridge when we get there, right? I think it's time to cross that bridge. 

As a Christian, I feel a responsibility to cherish God's creation. I think it's easy for us to limit that to mean solely people, but does that not include the nature that surrounds us? The resources and ecosystems that sustain us? 

I recently read this article from ethical ocean and was encouraged. (This article also talks about Planetair flights, for all you travelers out there.) "Being a vegetarian saves me about 0.55 tonnes per year, about equivalent to one round trip flight to Saskatoon from Toronto," Hancock stated. I know being a vegetarian is only one of the many things I can do to reduce my "carbon footprint." (Don't get me wrong, I"m not saying you have to be vegetarian.) During the upcoming weeks, I plan to seek more ways I can give value to God's creation. 

With the crisis of climate change looming over our heads, will we turn to earthly things to ease the fear? I do wonder if one reason we desire comfort and stability is because of this fear. Somehow we think a well paying job and a big house will secure our lives. 

Or can we instead turn to God who gives us a peace that surpasses all understanding? Yesterday during a time of prayer I felt the call to look at myself and how I handle the current issues around me. I pray that God will give me grace and a piece of His heart for the world around me. 

With God, I can proactively live in opposition to a culture which is destroying His creation without anger and bitterness in my heart. Instead, I can be filled with a love that only comes from Him. 

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." Hebrews 12:1