Caring for God’s creation is actually a very big role. It can almost seem overwhelming to us. Sometimes we feel like we can’t make a big enough difference.
As we move into the second quarter at Dalat, we shift our focus to our second Dalat Flagship: Citizenship. One of our outcomes is that “Dalat students will live ethically by caring for God’s creation.” This statement has its foundation in the first chapter of the Bible. After God created the world, he gave humans the mandate to care for it. The world has changed significantly, but the command remains, and we must carefully consider how we can care for God’s creation today.
Caring for God’s creation is actually a very big role. It can almost seem overwhelming to us. Sometimes when we feel like we can’t make a big enough difference, we just do nothing at all. Instead, it’s important for each of us to start small in the areas that are part of our regular routines. I encourage you and your family to brainstorm ways you can care for God’s creation. Set goals and challenge yourselves to continue growing in these areas. I’ve listed a few possibilities below, but there are many more. Be creative!
Electricity consumption: How can your family use less electricity on a daily basis? Unplugging appliances not in use, turning up the temperature on your air conditioner, and turning off extra lights are just a few ideas. In addition to helping care for creation, you may also save some money!
Reduce waste: Penang’s push for reusable shopping bags is a great start, but what else can you do? Many items can be repaired rather than replaced. Consider packing lunches in reusable containers. Separate recyclables.
Limit water consumption: Sometimes it feels like water is freely available with all of the rain we get in Penang. In my home state of California in the United States, we regularly experience droughts and water is precious. To conserve water, we often turn off the water while brushing our teeth, fill up a sink with water to wash dishes rather than leave the tap running, and even timing the length of our showers.
The best way for us to teach the kids to care for God’s creation is to model the behavior ourselves. Are you ready for the challenge? What can you do today to help take care of God’s creation?
Written by Shawna Wood
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