Embrace Life: A Call to Care for God's Creation, Ourselves, and Our Faith

Embrace life and take care! All of nature was created by God. Enjoy it! Care for it! Marvel at His glorious work!!!

Genesis 1 (select verses)

Verse 1: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

Verse 14: “And God said, ‘Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years, and let them be lights in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth.’ And it was so.”

Verses 20-21: “And God said, ‘Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the vault of the sky.’ So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living thing with which the water teems and that moves about in it, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.”

Verses 24-25: “And God said, ‘Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: the livestock, the creatures that move along the ground, and the wild animals, each according to its kind.’ And it was so. God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.”

Verse 31: “God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.”

So, it was God who created the heavens and the earth and all that is in them. And it was very good. It is still very good!

He gave humans—also His creation—the responsibility to care for His world, which includes caring for ourselves.

Care for Nature

Humans are called to care for all of nature:

Genesis 1:26

God: “Now let Us conceive a new creation—humanity—made in Our image, fashioned according to Our likeness. And let Us grant them authority over all the earth—the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, the domesticated animals and the small creeping creatures on the earth.”

(How are we doing?)

Care for Self

We are also called to care for our body, mind, and heart:

1 Corinthians 6:19-20

“Don’t you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who comes from God and dwells inside of you? You do not own yourself. You have been purchased at a great price, so use your body to bring glory to God!”

Psalm 127:2

“It’s useless to rise early and go to bed late, and work your worried fingers to the bone. Don’t you know [God] enjoys giving rest to those he loves?”

Proverbs 17:22

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.”

Philippians 4:6-7

“Don’t be anxious about things; instead, pray. Pray about everything. [God] longs to hear your requests, so talk to Him about your needs and be thankful for what has come. And know that the peace of God (a peace that is beyond any and all of our human understanding) will stand watch over your hearts and minds in Jesus, the Anointed One.”

Care for Your Faith

While caring for our minds and bodies is important, nurturing our faith is primary:

1 Timothy 4:8

“Although training your body has certain payoffs, godliness benefits all things—holding promise for life here and now and promise for the life that is coming.”

Matthew 6:33

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”

Hebrews 11:6

“Without faith no one can please God because the one coming to God must believe He exists, and He rewards those who come seeking.”

As we enjoy the world around us, we must keep the perspective that God is the Creator, and nature simply displays His power. Worship God, not His creation!

Job 12:7-10

“[Just] call on the animals to teach you; the birds that sail through the air are not afraid to tell you the truth. Engage the earth in conversation; it’s happy to share what it knows. Even the fish of the sea are wise enough to explain it to you. In fact, which part of creation isn’t aware, which doesn’t know the [LORD’s] hand has done this? His hand cradles the life of every creature on the face of the earth; His breath fills the nostrils of humans everywhere.”

Psalm 96:11-13

“And so, let the heavens resound in gladness! Let joy be the earth’s rhythm as the sea and all its creatures roar. Let the fields grow in triumph, a grand jubilee for all that live there. Let all the trees of the forest dig in and reach high with songs of joy before the [LORD], for [He] is on His way: yes, He is coming to judge the earth. He will set the world right by His standards, and by His faithfulness, He will examine the people.”

So, dear friends, enjoy nature, take care of yourselves, and seek God. He is over all, and He cares for you!

A Blessing:

Numbers 6:24-26

“May the Lord bless you and keep you.

May the Lord smile down on you and show you his kindness.

May the Lord answer your prayers and give you peace.”