God’s Ecosystem: Everything is Connected
The ecosystem is a holier design than we know. God created us to remain in connection to each other and to the other living things that inhabit the Earth. It is grander than what decades of environmental research have uncovered. The ecosystem serves as a worldly reminder that the maintenance of Earthly balance helps God’s people to thrive and evolve. When we commit offenses against the planet, our connection weakens.
Our Actions Impact the Ecosystem
In the beginning, God created a wonderful universe and in it a planet we call Earth. After creating humans and instructing them to care for the planet (Genesis 2:15), God had, even more, instruction for his people.
All actions are part of a sequence which ultimately leads to outcomes. For this reason, God commands us to be cautious in what we do (Deuteronomy 32:29). With caution, we are also instructed to plan ahead (2 Corinthians 12:14) – this will guide us as we fulfill another important word from God; an instruction to care for the world around us (Proverbs 12:10).
Despite evidence that climate change is a human creation, many places throughout the world have yet to limit their carbon emissions and make use of renewable energy. This shows a disregard not only for the planet but also for ourselves.
Today, we see evidence that our actions upon the Earth have caused harm. In God’s ecosystem, the Earth and its inhabitants are all related – so now the Earth’s reaction to harm (climate change) is harming God’s people.
Truly God will not change the condition of a people until they change the condition of their own souls. -Al-Ra’d 13:11
The Ecosystem Impacts Us
In the Christian and Jewish texts, God describes humans as creations of the Earth. This indicates a natural cycle of life that we have little control over. What humans can control, however, is how we interfere with nature.
In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.” Genesis 3:19
In life’s natural cycle, the chemicals in the air are absorbed by plant-life which are the food source for humans and other creatures. But when chemicals in the air are too harsh, both the air and the food are unsafe for living beings.
The laws and instructions laid out by God are for our spiritual and physical well-being. He tells us so in the book of Deuteronomy, chapter 10, verse 13. And if we follow those laws, allowing his ecosystem to go through its natural course, both the Earth and all who call it home will flourish.
Learn more about our obligation as people of faith to care for God’s creation and what issues we must overcome to ensure the safety of the Earth and our future as inhabitants.