by Neva Rae Fox

Read
For the Lord is a great God,
and a great King above all gods.
In his hand are the depths of the earth;
the heights of the mountains are his also.
The sea is his, for he made it,
and the dry land, which his hands have formed.
Psalm 95

Reflect
The Psalmist is praising the greatness of God for the environment and all the earth.  Psalm 95 chronicles the creations of God – from the depths of the seas to the tops of the mountains, from the wet waters to the dry lands.

For too many years, humans have ignored the greatness of God in this world and on this earth.  For too many years, we’ve paid the price of our conspicuous consumption with the eradication of plants and rainforests, and the elimination, extinction or severe endangerment of animals on the earth, in the sea and in the air.

In a few short days we will observe Earth Day 2015.  Earth Day has been celebrated on April 22 since 1970. Forty-five years later, and we still need to set aside a day to honor the earth. Forty-five years later and humans still have not taken adequate steps to keep the earth healthy and green and growing.

Earth Day isn’t a religious holiday, but it honors the works of God, and it is a means of recognizing our responsibility to maintain God’s beautiful works.

Respond
We are facing an environmental crisis.  We can do something about it – there is still time, but we need to act now. Take time to reflect on what your carbon footprint says about yourself.  Have you taken steps to protect, secure and save the earth that God has made?  Every person – whether as an individual or in groups, communities, or congregations – can make an effort.  A little effort can go a long way.

Sign up for 30 Days of Action, developed by the Episcopal Church to empower each of us and our communities of faith as we care for God’s Creation.  Celebrate earth Day 2015 by making a personal commitment to honor God and his earthly creations.