CREATION HOPE
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Jasmine with a Sea Cushion while diving
that hasn ’ t been addressed for a long time . And it is quite inconvenient because to take it seriously , we may need to shift the way we think about God ’ s creation , and be willing to examine how we may be contributing to the problem .
But I have had a few people express that they feel we are just jumping on the bandwagon of a ‘ hot ’ issue . Others are fearful that creation care is associated with the New Age movement . On both those fronts , though , I can understand the concern since the Christian creation care perspective has been missing for so long in churches . It will take time to shift the mindset .
JS That is so true . And I am sure there are ways that are far more effective than others .
JK I think there needs to be a major paradigm shift . When it comes to tackling environmental issues , we may be tempted to immediately jump towards a prescriptive ‘ Do this ’ or ‘ Don ’ t do this .’ But if peoples ’ motivations are not rooted well , their actions will just be robotic . Caring for creation becomes merely a behavioural change rather than a worldview change .
As a small example , just before the lockdown in Metro Manila , an ordinance came into effect where shoppers were required to bring ecobags , since plastic bags were banned . However , without a heart change on the issue , people were using eco-bags simply because they were obliged by law rather than desiring to reduce their plastic consumption .
JS For those people who have had the heart change but then are paralysed by the scale of the problem , what do you suggest they do to start living differently ?
JK I realise we do need to start somewhere . That is why the biblical perspective is so important – where humanity does not have to bear the full weight of this issue on our shoulders .
To be honest , I ’ m not really a fan of the phrase ‘ saving the planet ’ because the only one saving the planet is Jesus . It helps that we can focus and persevere in doing our part because we have hope in Jesus restoring everything one day . We don ’ t need to worry about the ending ; but in the present , we are called to faithfulness in doing the best we can as participants with all other creatures in God ’ s creation . I feel that it is a lot less overwhelming from this perspective : I engage where I ’ m planted .
I think too about the fact we are all uniquely and wonderfully made . We are wired differently and what I love is that there are so many facets to creation care . We each take part in one aspect of it .
Begin with something that brings you joy . If you love gardening , make your garden bigger or teach someone else how to garden . If stray animals are your thing , help out at an animal shelter or take in some strays . Or just go for walks in nature and enjoy God ’ s creation . There ’ s a quote : ‘ One cannot know what one does not see . And one cannot love what one does not know .’ I realise many of us city dwellers are separated from wild nature , but the more you spend time in it , the more you also delight in God the Creator .
JS What is your hope for what churches waking up to God ’ s mandate to care for creation might accomplish ?
JK It is about casting a vision of what God is longing for – for us as his beloved creatures to restore broken relationships to a state of shalom : wholeness and peace – righting relationships that have been wronged . It is about committing to doing our best with a posture that understands we can do it because of hope in Christ who gives us the assurance of restoration . It is about our lives , the way we worship , and the way we treat our neighbours and the land . If we live out those convictions as the worldwide church , we will make an incredible impact for good .
Jasmine with a giant lettuce in Baguio , Philippines