40 Faces, 40 Places: A Devotional JourneySample

Shilpita from London

Sometimes whole-life discipleship looks like working for climate justice.

I’m an environmental economist working to address climate change. I design adaptation and resilience strategies to help governments and businesses protect vulnerable communities and sustain the livelihoods of millions of people being pushed back into poverty because of climate change.

Colossians 1 challenges me to have a bigger view of Jesus and His invitation to join in His redemptive plan to love His planet and His people. He tells us to love God and our neighbors. Addressing climate change is vital to both – honoring God by being good stewards of His creation and loving our global neighbors who are hit first and worst by the climate crisis. I recently had the opportunity to link faith, climate action, and the private sector as a Christian Climate Observer at COP26, the United Nations’ annual global climate conference.

Popular culture has often pitted Christianity and climate action against each other. As a Christian climate scientist, Dr. Katharine Hayhoe states: ‘A thermometer is not liberal or conservative.’ Some controversies have led to fruitful conversations at the workplace, including what ‘dominion’ entails in environmental stewardship. It’s easy to succumb to anxiety in this industry as climate change worsens over time. Despite these pressures at work, understanding the gospel helps me lament environmental destruction while having a secure hope in Jesus.

Reflection

Discipleship affects our lives and, in turn, the whole of God’s world. For Shilpita, this means combining her skills, passion, and faith to work towards climate justice. We might not have the role or expertise she has, but we’re all called to take care of God’s creation, consider the vulnerable, steward finite resources efficiently and fairly, lament when things aren’t right, and maintain our ultimate hope in Jesus. As Christians, we should be ready to respond with words and actions to the greatest issues of our time. Are we ready?

Prayer

Lord, help me play my part in Your work of restoration and reconciliation. Please help me to steward Your precious resources efficiently and fairly. Lord, I want to be someone who laments over environmental crises and also responds with appropriate words and actions.