In Genesis 2, we are called to name the animals and love the earth as God loves us. This is a call to not only live fully in this world, but also to actively participate. This is a key point in this social statement from the ELCA regarding earth care. Each era brings new challenges to our way of life and way of caring for this earth. Over the last decade, battle lines have grown deeper over issues such as global warming. Unfortunately, human brokenness on both sides often outweighs any of the good. Yet, our faith journey and tradition offers us guidance and promise. Even Martin Luther, when asked how he would respond if told the world would end tomorrow, offered a response filled with hope and promise. He said, “I would plant an apple tree today.” God does not ask that we hide in the face of crisis, but that we live in hope and forge ahead given the gifts that we have been given. We are called to action in the face of despair.
As leaders of the church, we have the opportunity to find new ways to be active in this world via faith and participation. Why run from the challenges? That would be too easy. Instead, let us look to the examples of the famers of the prairies of southwestern Minnesota. There are folks there seeking alternative ways to support their families while be conscientious about the world around them and how what they do impacts others.
My wife and I recently had a discussion about how what we say to one another impacts so many others. If we argue and leave an issue unresolved, how does the next person we encounter become a casualty of our issue?
It is the same in how we live in creation, in church, in all of our homes. Everything we do, say, mow, flush, or destroy does impact someone or something. If we take this simplistic approach to our environment, we will make a difference in this great world that God has made.
Reaction to social statement #1
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