Over the past several months, we have walked through some of the basics of climate change together. We have learned about plastics and recycling, food, clothing, and discussed some sustainable alternatives to the wasteful practices of our modern world. And with all this information, it is important to once again return to the biblical foundation for our stewardship of the planet. 

Genesis 1 tells about the creation narrative. That in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth and all of the living creatures. So therefore, right from the start, God intimately cared for all living things on this earth, in addition to human beings. He created the waters, trees, and plants to sustain the ever growing world. And, He called it all good. 

God placed humans over creation to be caretakers. To name each creature and look after God’s beautiful creation. The biblical command to care for the world has not changed since this first passage in Genesis. The mandate to be good stewards of the planet still extends to today.

As BFJN, we hope that you will partner with us to care for the earth. Our prayer is that we, as a community, will grow in conviction and challenge each other to continue to aim for more sustainable choices. May we all examine our everyday actions and become aware of their repercussions. 

For a final encouragement to action, we echo the sentiments in earlier blogs and also in our podcast. Start small. Pick one area of your life to grow in and exercise more conscious thought. Whether that be in the kitchen, the bathroom, the closet, or your daily commute to work, we can all start somewhere. By focusing on individual areas of life and working to be better stewards one step at a time, we can all, together, be a part of the solution. 

To end, I would like to leave you with the words of the second verse of “Great Is Thy Faithfulness”, a well-known and loved hymn:

“Summer and winter, and springtime and harvest; sun, moon, and stars in their courses above join with all nature in manifold witness to Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love. 

Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; all I have needed Thy hand hath provided: great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!”

Let us join with all nature, caring for it and nurturing it along the way, and sing out the Lord’s great faithfulness as we continue to work towards achieving climate justice.