Blog Action Day: Climate Change

Today I am writing in tandem with thousands of bloggers around the world taking part in blogactionday, an annual event powered by Change.org. Despite the fact that I don't agree with everything they do, I can support their idea of unifying folks to speak about the great issues of our day. And besides, I like this years topic: Climate Change.

I like it because I of three strongly held beliefs on the subject:

1.) Gravity and causes: Yes we're seeing Climate Change around the world, however, I do not believe it to be a grave threat to the existence of our planet or its inhabitants. The scant historical comparison data we have shows that the earth has had seasons like this before. Which would suggest that it's unlikely that today's issues are caused by my two cars.

2.) God: The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it - Psalm 24:1. He built the place and will care for it until its usefulness is through. It's egotistical of us - of me - to think that I can change that.

However:

3.) Christ Followers: If we believe what Psalm 24 says, why aren't we the environmental leaders? Why aren't we proactively leading the movement to properly and care-FULLY steward His world?

Why aren't I?

Oh The Humanity

I have a friend in Atlanta that I was blessed to meet for lunch during a recent business trip. During our conversation, John Eldredge's name came up and he mentioned a friend of his that’s working with John on a project. He went on to say she disagrees with his ministry because it is focused too much on man and not enough on God.

But isn't God's ministry focused on man?

Now, before you shout me down, let me assure you I am not lessoning the holiness of God, His desire for our worship or His hatred of our sin. Nor am I suggesting that God exists to serve us. As His creation, we are less. Because of our sin, He alone is holy. And because of all that and more, He is rightfully jealous to have us serve Him.

But what about our humanity? It’s a crucial question that I believe we’ve answered wrong. And it’s killing us.

Oh the Humanity

In an attempt to ensure that we never forget the holiness, might and sovereignty of God, we’ve accepted a lie. A lie that says if it wasn’t for us, God would be happy. The lie that we – collectively and personally – are a burden to God. We believe God made a huge mistake when He created humans and suspect He wishes we weren’t around. At the very least, we’re reasonable certain He wishes we were less…well, human.

And so we imagine a regretful and disappointed God sitting with His head in His hands thinking: “Oh the humanity! If only they didn’t need friendship, companionship and worth all would be well. If they could stop needing meaning, purpose, food, shelter, money and sex things would be perfect. And what’s with their different personalities, tastes, interests and desires? Sheesh.”

The Living Dead

And so we live lives bent on destroying or denying our humanity and the result is lives that are all too often, half lived - or perhaps lived in two halves.

The first half, based on a misinterpretation of the scripture about contentment, is a self-centered deprivation. We accept jobs, friendships, marriages, organizations, ideas and…lives that we really don’t like because we believe it wrong to long for more. So despite dreams, visions, imaginings and Scriptures that overflow with hope, joy, peace and…LIFE…we sit. Content.

The second half, based on fear of who knows what, is outward focused criticism. We see this when the reaction to someone else’s dream, vision, imagining or revelatory Scripture is “be careful…!”. Like when a musician says they feel led to play secular music and everyone screams “but what about the drugs and sex!” Thing is, we all do this. You need only read comments on Facebook, blogs, twitter or hear people in hallways – our natural bent is to criticize and put down those that want to live. And we seem to always do it with a tone of “its sad you still struggle with that part of your humanity.”

Oh, the humanity!

But why? Where is it written that we should hate the things that make us human? The drives, ambitions, desires, needs and wants? Resist the urge to criticize and correct me – I know we need His redemptive work in us – but think about my question. Where in the bible does God hate us for our humanity? Isn’t it the opposite? Isn’t it our humanity that he wants saved? Redeemed? Healed?

He doesn’t hate hunger, he hates gluttony. He doesn’t hate wealth, he hates desception, robbery, hoarding and lording it over others. He doesn’t hate sex, he hates its misuse and abuse. He doesn’t hate big dreams, he hates selfish gain. And on and on.

So imagine God saying “Oh, the humanity. I love them, they are created in my image. Created to live with Me in relationship so we can make something of the world I have given them. Created to work the ground, solve the problems, invent great things and love each other. Created to succeed at being the very things I made them to be – individual creations displaying My glory in infinitely unique ways!”

What would happen? What would you tell others? What would you tell yourself? And what would you be free to do?