On this Earth Day, I know many wonder how some can still deny human activity plays a role in global climate change.

There’s a part of me that understands why some deny it.  It is a seductive notion that you can do ANYTHING you want without ANY consequences.  On this day after Easter when I’m staring at the ungodly amount of chocolate I’ve acquired over the past few days, it’s tempting to believe that I can eat whatever I want without gaining an ounce.  And as I think about taking my dog out for his third walk today in a few minutes, it’s tempting to believe that I could skip some of our four walks a day without any health consequences to either my dog or myself.

Of course, I – like most people – realize that there are in fact consequences for our behaviors.  If I eat an ungodly amount of chocolate, I WILL gain weight.  If I start skipping my daily walks with my dog, both his health and mine WILL suffer.

The same thing goes for the condition of the planet.  If we human beings continue to selfishly believe there are no consequences for our actions and continue with the status quo, the planet WILL suffer.

Of course, for us people of faith – the matter of engaging in eco-friendly behaviors isn’t simply a matter of survival.  It’s about appreciating the gift of creation with which we have been blessed – and showing our appreciation for God’s gift by being the very best stewards possible of those natural resources.

On this 2019 Earth Day, I hope and pray that each of us will take the steps necessary in our individual lives to show our gratitude for the natural world.  I hope we will also continue to advocate to our elected officials for responsible ecological policies at the local, state, and federal levels.

Together, we can not only preserve the planet: we can be the kind of stewards God has called us to be.