To Nurture Nature
by Brienne AlbrightSuburbia is where the developer bulldozes out the trees, and then names the streets after them. - Bill Vaughan
Raised in the confinements of suburbia where pristinely mowed lawns mark the invisible boundary of life and the neighbor’s, my worldview was rarely shaken or challenged. At twenty-one years old I embarked on a journey that would change me forever. The Creation Care Study Program (CCSP) dumped me, along with nine other students, onto a cattle farm in the outskirts of San Ignacio, Belize with little more than a suitcase and a spirit for adventure and learning.
One of Creation Care’s major aims is to “teach the principles and practices of environmental stewardship that should extend to all areas of one’s life.” What they left me with was a glimmer of hope and a desire to restructure my life so that it better protects and nurtures all of what God has given me.
Immersion in the Belizean culture for three months lends itself to many decent memories, but one image that has been branded in my mind and heart was my trip to the Belize Sugar Factory. One might think that a trip involving sugar would be nothing short of sweet (pardon the pun), but I remember journaling afterwards that my heart had never felt so void of God as it did that day.
Soot and embers ripped through my lungs as I tried to take shallow breaths outside the factory. The oppressive heat and screeching noise of the machines was becoming unbearable. Guilt took hold of me as I listened to our tour guide talk about the injustices that the sugar cane farmers and workers faced each day as big businesses pursued cheaper labor in neighboring countries. The workers were paid far less than what would be considered minimum wage, let alone a living wage. So many laborers carried this burden each day so that I could have a spoonful of sweetness that is no longer considered a luxury in our society. I knew then that the decisions I made each day had a far more global impact, and some needed to change.
We as Christians are called to be followers and imitators of Christ, with the blueprint laid before us by the example that Jesus set when on earth. He came as a redeemer, to set free and restore. This redemption pours out upon us far more than just spiritual salvation. Creation waits and groans for the time when it, too, will be restored. As Christians, our actions are scrutinized by those around us and we are called to live by a higher standard. We too can care for creation through simple lifestyle changes such as recycling, slowly integrating organic and locally grown products into our shopping carts, purchasing eco-friendly cleaning products, changing our light bulbs to energy-efficient brands, car pooling, and walking or biking to local venues.
A growing awareness can actually be overwhelming, as more and more evils are brought to our attention. Yet as Christians, we need not be discouraged, for our hope is in the Lord.We know that our actions alone will not bring about the ultimate change, but it is through Christ that restoration occurs. I would encourage you to start today by making small changes to become a better steward of creation. Seek the Lord in prayer to determine where your process should start, because to whom much is given, much is expected (Luke 12:48).
Brienne Albright is an elementary teacher in King of Prussia, PA. She attended Creation Care Studies Program in Belize in the spring of 2004.
Unless otherwise noted, all materials on the urbana.org web site are Copyright InterVarsity Christian Fellowship / USA. All rights reserved.
Print
Email
Comments
Be the first one to add a comment.
To post a comment, please login or register