O Lord, our God, "when I look at the night sky and see the work of
your fingers – the moon and the stars you have set in place – what
are mortals that you should think of us, mere humans that you should
care for us? For you have made us only a little lower than God, and
you crowned us with glory and honor. You put us in charge of
everything you made, giving us authority over all things." – Psalm
8:3-6

The other day I was in my car thinking about my sermon for the
coming Saturday and Sunday. I focused on God's great gift of his
Son, Jesus, who died for my sins – and the sins of the whole world.
In my heart I sang praises to our Lord for so great a gift as
eternal life through the cross and resurrection. I remembered the
Word of God about what God had done for me, for other people, and,
indeed, the whole creation - purely out of love and mercy. Suddenly
I was at a stop light, right behind a very expensive conversion van
with a Christian fish symbol on it. All of a sudden the driver
rolled down his window and dropped a McDonalds French Fries box and
a large paper cup onto the ground, and then rolled the window back
up!

God comes in Jesus Christ to redeem the whole of creation, including
bringing salvation to humans. I saw this supposed Christian drop
this litter onto God's good earth and got angry, got out of my car,
and picked up the trash. My righteous anger wanted to let this
person know that they were sinning! The light changed as I was
returning to my car. The car in back of mine waited patiently for
me to get back into my car. I was still angry for another full day –
until I realized that my anger was littering my relationships with
others! I was just as sinful as the person I was angry at.

Yes, all Christians should be environmentalists, because God made
and loves all of creation and put us in charge of caring for it.
Yes, I am a sinner who pollutes God's creation as well – maybe not
with a French Fries box – but maybe with something even more
destructive – self-righteous anger!

Bringing It Home:
1. How do you pollute God's creation and fail to care for
everything God has given you: family, neighbors, the Earth?
2. What self-righteous anger do you pollute others with that
you need to give up?

Prayer:
Lord God, I confess to you that I do not care for your creation, the
Earth, the animals, and other human beings as I ought. Help me to
see the areas of my life where I pollute your creation. Change me.
Help me to submit my self-righteousness to you and not claim it as
justified by you. Amen.

John A. Holm
Transforming Church Institute
www.transformingchurch.net

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