Responsibility: Taking Care of God's Creation

Our children at church will be asked some tough questions over the next two months as they learn about responsibility. During the month of June, all the questions begin like this: "What in the world are you doing to ...." First, I like this because already I know each individual is to be held accountable for something. The tendency to put responsibility onto someone else is removed from the equation. Second, the suggestion that there must be an action of some sort lets me know that no one will be able to simply know the truth; the expectation of taking action is explicit. Finally, establishing the world as the context for our "doing" makes a clear statement - we aren't called to ignore what's going on around us. Taking care of God's creation and his gifts - the World and all that's in it - is a responsibility we have been given to fulfill.

Genesis 1:26-29 explains that God decided to create man in his image and give man responsibility for the earth - all the animals, fish, birds, and plant life. He gave us meaningful work to accomplish. It's easy to see how we haven't always been as responsible as we should have been. Each generation has its own version of environmental awareness. The slogans that branded my generation were "Give a Hoot; Don't Pollute" and "Don't be a Litterbug." Today, we are rightfully concerned with catastrophic oil spills in the Gulf of Mexico and waste management. People may go to the extremes of responsibility either way, from those who scoff at global warming and its ramifications, to those who radically protest the death of animals for any reason or purpose. I suggest that God created us in his image; therefore, he gave us the ability to exercise common sense and to genuinely care for what's been put into our keeping.

We can take our cues from Jesus on how best to care for God's creation, which does include our fellow human beings. In John 17, as Jesus was preparing for his crucifixion and ascension to Heaven, he prayed for those whom the Father had given him, the disciples and all who would come to claim Christ as their personal savior (John 17:6, 20). God had made Jesus responsible for all flesh (John 17:2) so we might know eternal life. Jesus gave to us all that the Father asked him to give, and he prayed that the Father would keep us from evil and make us one with them (John 17:8, 15, 21). At this particular moment in his life, Jesus could have chosen to shirk his responsibility, but instead, he sought the safekeeping of those for whom he was responsible, and then he fulfilled what he was sent to do by dying on the cross that we might have life everlasting. 

Maybe John 17 is an unusual example of what it means to "take care of God's creation," but I suspect we can gain insight into what it means when God makes us responsible. God gave us an incredible gift when he put us in the position of caretaker for his creation. We can choose to be reckless with the trust, or we can step up, be responsible, and treat God's creation with the care and respect it deserves. Someday, he will hold us accountable for how we answer the question, "What in the world are you doing to take care of what God made."

"He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much...." Luke 16:10a

Heavenly Father, thank you for sharing your creation with us. Please help us to remember our responsibility to all you have created and to care for it as you would expect. Thank you for giving us the wisdom and the strength to do what you have asked us to do. Amen.

Parenting - Understanding Abstract Art

A friend and I visited a local bookstore recently to check out an art exhibit featuring work of an artist from our community. When we saw the art was abstract, we both had to admit we didn't "get it." Since both of us consider ourselves to be rather well-educated (we were fighting a very strong urge to look at the books rather than the art), we did make an attempt to explain what we appreciated about the pieces on display. The colors in some were of particular appeal, we could discern shapes and design, we noticed that framing mattered, and, of course, the price tag attached to each painting assured us that these were valuable works of art! But, in the end, we acknowledged the gift of the artist along with our own lack of understanding - and then succumbed to our love of the written word!

Our experience with abstract art became a metaphor for me. How often do we look at people and fail to recognize their purpose or their value? We see colors and shapes; we even notice their "frame," but we just don't see how they fit. Sometimes those folks are living in our own homes. Do you ever wonder who that teenager requesting funds is? He can't be your kid! Your son wears pants that fit and a belt to hold them up! Your daughter wouldn't turn her beautiful blonde hair that color! What may be even more disconcerting is when we look in the mirror and wonder who exactly we are or of what possible value we hold.

Yet, here's the truth - had my friend and I been with the artist, she could have explained her work, she would have told us the intricacies of shape and color and design and the deliberation that determined the framing. She could have told us the great investment she made to create each unique piece. We may not have become fans, but we would have understood.

Just as we needed the artist, or someone equally well-versed in abstract art, to teach us and guide us, each of us needs the Master Artist to open our understanding of his greatest works of art - his children.

Psalms 119:73a says, "Your hands made me and formed me," and in Isaiah 64:8, we are clay, and God is the potter, "...we are all the work of your hand." God has created us with such intricate design that while we may look abstract to others and to ourselves, we are a perfect work of art with a unique purpose.

The art my friend and I saw had value; some had been sold. Someone had seen the painting and decided it was perfect for a particular purpose. We too come with a price - the perfect, sinless life of Jesus Christ whose death on the cross redeemed us. His death and resurrection purchased us to fill a spot that only we can fill. It's the thing for which we have been created.

As we seek to understand the "works of art" we and others are, we must walk and talk with the Artist. II Timothy 3:16-17 tells us that God's word is provided for us to equip us for good work. We are "...his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works.... (Ephesians 2:10)." And, we are works in progress; God continues to put the "finishing touches" on His masterpieces: "And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you.(Philippians 1:6)"

Each day ask God to give you an "eye for art," so that you can see His unique design and purpose for your life, the lives of your children, and those of people around you.

Heavenly Father, we don't always see nor are we able to appreciate the beauty of Your most loved creation. Help us to know who we are in You, and help us to value others as the unique works of art You have created.

Please help us to guide our children in learning that they are precious in your sight and that You have made them to be one of a kind to serve You as only they can.

Thank you for loving us so much. Help us to love You without reservation. In Your name we pray, Amen.