This changing world

I read in the paper yesterday, scientists predict that a world-wide rise in ocean levels by 90 cm, would leave 60 million refugees. Scientists predict that if the Greenland ice shelf were to entirely melt, ocean levels would rise 7 m.

On my mind lately has been how I live my life in this consumer driven western world and correlate this with my faith. In regards to both third world poverty and the environment. I think much has been said and discussed regarding third world poverty, whilst the environemt and its changes have most definately taken a back-seat. The world is beginning to sit up and notice, observe what we are doing to this planet. Sustainability, global-warming are all words thrown round in debates and heated conversations. Environmental education has evolved throughout history, through phases of the doom and gloom (concentration on the huge issues of why the environment is dying - kind of like damnation preaching), the green mother earth aspects (can anyone say hippie communes) and now increasingly on to what we can do (reduce, reuse, recycle - drive a hybrid).

For me as a Christian, I see it as part and parcel of my faith that God has given us this world, to enjoy, to live in and to look after for him. I also see it as part of my faith that I look out from myself as much as possible as to how I live my life. Seeking to satisfy God's will, serve others and serve myself last. I am by no means perfect at this and it is an ongoing struggle. However it alarms me that, we as christians seem to not be on the leading edge of reasonable movements to preserve this world. Unfortunately at times we seem instead to end on opposing sides to those that seek to look after our planet. I see potential for the Church to do good for this world, serve God and create awareness in the community. Instead so often we seem to antagonise. How hypocritical must it appear, we claim God has created this world for us, and we try to serve him. Yet we continue on our life-styles that are fast desecrating our world.

"I have been to Notre Dame; churches galore. None can hold a candle to the mountains. What men spent 200 years to build, is outshone by God's afterthoughts."

Yet we live our lives, new houses, bigger houses, new car, new computer, plastic bags from the supermarket, packaging packaging packaging, drive here drive there, new clothes the second hand shop smells funny and so on. Focussed on ourselves, unaware of the impact we are having on God's world he has given us care of. Aware that due to tenure review between high country farmers and the government hundreds of hectares of previously crown owned land are being turned over into freehold ownership of the farmers. Lake Tekapo looks threatened to become the next Queenstown. We all tut tut at the past environmental damage "what fools would introduce possums". Yet despite possums vastly outnumbering us, mankind seems to have done far more damage to New Zealands native environment.

In balance, I believe God calls us to do what he wants us to, not to fix the world. I believe this world is not perfect, that since the fall this world has been destined to end at some stage. However I also believe this does not excuse us from any change in our lifestyles. I do not see it possible for the Western World to undergo a paradigm shift overnight. However I do believe if each of us, slowly changes our habits. If the church as a whole begins to adopt attitudes that lead the way, reduce their consumerism and show the world the little steps, the easy steps. We can do our bit to look after God's gift to us.

For me, I only hope I can transfer some of these thoughts into actions. I very much believe that if I take responsibility to be willing to step out and change some things for God, for this world, and for the future then God will lead me on. That if each of us changes one small thing, that this may inspire further change.

I suppose what it boils down to is this: If I can change one of my habits each year, and inspire another to do the same and so forth. That is a lot of change by the time i reach 50. I feel my responsibility is not to save the world, merely to refrain from doing my utmost to destroy it.