my oil spill - creation care & responsibility

I am preparing for a presentation on the environment for the Nelson Regional Day this weekend and was hit by this quote by Eric Jackson from Carey Park Christian Camp...

There is no indication in scripture that all flora and fauna are to be sacrificed on the altar of human affluence and pleasure. Therefore responsible development requires a clear understanding of its impact on all the living things.

the latest oil spill

I was struck as I read of the latest oil spill in the news this morning.  I wondered at the selfishness of man-kind.  We are willing to sacrifice our ocean, our animals, our fellow man's life source (fishing boats) because we want to run our cars and factories.  (Ironically the fishing boats need oil too...)  Then I realised that I drove to Auckland this past weekend, and I too used petrol to get there.  I'm not an extreem 'greenie' that is about to go live on a farm somewhere with my own sustainable eco-system, but what I had just accused others of, I myself am equally guilty.

Its not easy when we consider the cost of reversing the negative impact on our environment at camp. 

• How many of us still burn rubbish? 
• Do we recycle our used water? 
• Use energy efficent lighting and heating? 
• Choose environmentally friendly dishwash liquids & other resources? 

Do we abuse creation for our own affluence and pleasure? 

Eric also says...

The Christian is called upon to exhibit this dominion, but exhibit it rightly: treating the thing as having value in itself, exercising dominion without being destructive.

I realise it is easy for me to say this sitting in an office.  My confession - I don't always take the time to recycle all our paper - which is one of the simplest and easiest things to do!!  I know we are under pressure to save every dollar possible, and I know that the 'environmentally friendly' approach costs.  But consider how you could present your efforts to school groups, using a program like 'Enviro Schools' or something similar to highlight how we take care of God's creation.

God's mandate for Adam and Eve was to govern this world he has given us, perhaps we need to think again about what that means.

I don't want to be challenged on my petrol useage... but unless I take the time to stop and consider how I use my petrol... it might as well have been my oil spill.