Stewardship of CreationНамуна

In the beginning, God

I recently heard the teachings of a Jewish rabbi where he asked one of his disciples to recite Genesis 1:1. He said, ‘In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth’. The rabbi said, ‘Do it again’. ‘In the beginning God created the’. ‘Stop,’ said the rabbi. ‘Do it again.’ This kept happening until the rabbi stopped him after only these words: ‘In the beginning God.’

The repetition of this teaching was to show his disciple that God is the only God. The only One who creates. The only One who created all of the heavens and the earth. The One who is, was, and always will be in control. It’s a lesson for all of us to remember how life-changing those four simple words actually are.

So, when we consider how the God of all beginnings would want us to steward His creation, the answer seems obvious. We’re to do everything we can to make sure it flourishes. As God’s image bearers, we’re called to keep our role as creation stewards at the forefront of our minds. We’re called to make daily choices that honour God. We have a responsibility to care for this gift that has been entrusted to us.

We’re called to be stewards of creation both for our good, and for God’s glory. We’re called to be set apart in this world, so why do we consume so much? We live as if our choices don’t impact anyone else, yet so many of them do, but it’s the marginalised who have our rubbish dumped in their communities around the world. Collectively, we need to do better. Lord, please show us how.

Written by BREE BOND