God created a finely tuned universe. We see this fine tuning in every aspect of the universe from the ratio of the mass of neutrons to protons in atoms to the placement of galaxies. The same order was imbued into our planet and human beings were given the responsibility to be the earth’s caretakers. The fate of the world depended to a large extent on us. Human beings are the ‘keystone species’. A keystone is a triangular rock at the top of an arch that holds up the whole structure. If the keystone falls, so does the arch. This is what happened when humans fell away from God: the whole world fell with them. From that time, humans have been in conflict with their environment. I read an article once about an earthquake in China that was predicted partly on the basis of the behaviour of animals (Haicheng, 1975). The animals knew it was going to happen! How is it that we, who were meant to have the most intuitive and authoritative connection with our world, are now so out of tune with our environment? People blame God for disasters caused by earthquakes and the like, but, if human beings had retained their authoritative connection with the earth, things would be different. Instead of living in harmony with nature humans live in conflict with nature. No wonder we suffer so. The earth itself groans because it has been betrayed and destroyed by its caretaker. Let’s lead the charge for change. Christians should be the world’s leading environmentalists. Let’s not shirk responsibility. If the environment is going wrong, it’s inevitably our fault. So, let’s change things.
Reflect on how you can be a more responsible steward of the environment.
Read Romans 8:18-25
