Ecology

Winter is an exciting time for me. I'm still like a kid when it snows. I watch the weather channel to see when the next snow will occur. I celebrate with my daughter when we get the news of a two hour delay or cancellation of school. I marvel at the quiet peace a new snow brings. There is a sound that snow makes as it settles upon the snow already on the ground--like tiny crystals softly chiming. New snow laced upon the tree branches, shrubs, and rooftops is something to behold. If you live where it does not snow, take advantage of the cooler season and spend time outdoors doings some things you would normally not do in the summer. When I used to live in Florida and North Carolina, I would sometimes enjoy hiking in the cooler months without the heat and pesky mosquitos. I wonder why some adults do not appreciate the outdoors. Did they not have these opportunities to play outside when they were young? Did something happen while they were growing up to discourage their curiosity for life? Have their lives become so artificial that they are not comfortable in a natural setting? I wonder.

I also wonder to what extent the irresponsible attitudes and actions of past generations will affect the health and happiness of future generations of people on earth. I hope the negative impact will be less than some scientists have warned. I honestly don't know how much human behavior is having an affect on this planet. However, if there is even a chance that my actions could hurt my children or anyone else's children in any way, I want to learn more and make changes. Therefore, I take all of these warnings seriously; I then weigh them with Scripture and reason.

I believe that the "love your neighbor" mandate of Jesus is particularly relevant when it comes to how we treat the planet. We must begin to see all of life as interconnected. This planet is the canvas upon which God has painted the human race. Let us do our part to maintain its integrity and sustainability.