As you may know, on Easter Monday this year it was also Earth Day. Earth Day is observed in 193 countries around the world and it is a day on
which everyone is encouraged to think about the state of our environment as well as ways that we can keep the earth healthy and sustainable for future generations. Earth Day was founded in 1970 by a U.S. Senator named Gaylord Nelson after the massive Santa Barbara oil spill in 1969 that saw approximately 90,000 barrels of crude oil spill into the Santa Barbara
Channel, killing an estimated 3,500 sea birds as well as other marine animals like dolphins, seals, and sea lions. On April 22, 1970 over 20 million Americans demonstrated for environment protection. In Canada the first Earth Day was recognized ten years later. As Christians we obviously understand the need for us to take care of the earth. As Psalm 24:1
attests, “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it.” Genesis 2 reports that the first command God gives Adam is take care of all that was created. I believe that this command is as true today as it was back then. Even though there are many different options about the state of our environment and how we should take care of it, I believe what is clear is that we must take care of it. In fact, I think one of the clearest ways we can show our love for our Creator is by taking care of His creation!