Lifestyle Shift & Relationship
By Rachel Churchman
I have always found peace and comfort in nature, whether it be walking through a forest, floating on a lake, or looking up at the night sky. I could be having the worst day ever, and yet a short walk through a local park would set my mind at ease. My mom taught me to appreciate this beautiful earth and every creature that comes with it. From a young age, we would take nature walks, visit local botanical gardens, and simply play outside. Having this exposure has given me the toolset I need to appreciate our planet. I also remember hearing the hymn “All Things Bright and Beautiful” in church and being inspired to appreciate all of the earth, all things great and small.
Care for the earth cannot only be achieved by appreciation, however. As Disciples of Christ, we are called to care for the earth. Creation Care can come in many forms. We can use nature as a meditative background for prayer; we can foster the growth of plants; we can protect our natural resources. My friends and I like to point out when we have “God moments,” moments when we see God or feel his presence in nature. Through actively pointing these out, I have grown my admiration for the earth. I have house plants that I take care of; while it is a small step, I feel the responsibility of taking care of a small part of the earth. Protecting natural resources is a much larger step that requires the help of many.
Remember that you are not the only one on this planet. Pollution affects all of creation, and the primary contributors of pollution are humans and human activities. Many industrial processes that we rely on pollute the environment. We have polluted so severely that we have lost creatures and plants, great and small. Even though much of our modern world relies on harmful industries, taking small steps away from industrial life will help protect our natural resources.
A good first step to increase Creation Care is to point out “God moments” of your own. Bringing your attention to the beauty of nature will provide a good jumping-off point. Then, continue to implement small practices that tie you closer to creation. One way that my home church, Eureka Christian Church, is contributing to Creation Care is by composting. Members collect their food scraps and other compostable waste in canisters over the week, and then they bring their full containers to church on Sunday. One of our members takes care of the rest, and we can then use the resulting organic substance to fertilize the plants around our church. Putting the love and care into this creation and then giving it back to the earth is a great way to show your appreciation for the planet. Even further steps you can take are donating to preservation acts or non-profit organizations that help the earth. As we continue into adjusting to this lifestyle shift, it is important to maintain a connection to the environment. Additionally, prioritizing the earth and the environment will help us cultivate a balanced relationship with our planet.