Today, we saw a glimpse of God’s intended benefits when we observed giraffes and zebras grazing and drinking from the same riverbank. You see, giraffes have long necks, which allows them to see predators from far away. So when a giraffe sees danger, he begins to run, signaling to the zebras that there is danger, so that they too will run. Zebras, camouflaged by their stripes, are also able to spot predators closer to the ground without being detected themselves. But the giraffe with his colored vision can easily distinguish between a running zebra and the tall grass around them and will also run at the cue of a zebra. God did not make a mistake when he put these two unlikely creatures together. He knew that they would be mutually beneficial to each other.
Unfortunately, because of our brokenness, we messed it up. What God intended for good, we destroyed with our selfishness and our wastefulness. Instead of using renewable resources and recycling, we create waste and fill up our landfills with toxic pollutants that affect our water. So we try to filter the water with additional chemicals which kill our fish, which used to provide food for other animals that are now slowly becoming extinct. Sadly, the list could go on about how we have destroyed the perfect world God created… but the questions I ask myself are: What part do I play in this? What can I do today to reverse the destruction of our world? Am I willing to sacrifice my convenience of picking up a plastic grocery bag at the store and bring a canvas one of my own every time I go? Am I willing to recycle my plastic bottles and newspapers even if it means taking it to the local recycling center a mile away? Am I willing to create a compost in my backyard to nourish the soil for my garden? Am I willing to creatively reuse boxes, plastic bottles, and containers instead of purchasing tupperware? What are the small things that we can all do to restore our world to the way God intended in the beginning?
I admire Africans for the way they maximize the use of their resources, not letting even the slightest bit go to waste. When a chicken is killed for food, everything from the crowns on its head to its inners to its feet are put in the pot to be eaten. When tire treads are worn down and can no longer be used on cars they are turned into sandals. Elephant dung is made into paper. Banana leaves are used to bind the elephant dung paper. Plastic grocery bags are replaced by woven baskets brought to the market on their heads. With the little they have, they maximize the usefulness and longevity of the resources they have.
God has entrusted us with creation, He gave us the authority to “work it and keep it,” but we have not been faithful guardians. We are stewards of the resources He has given us. But we have taken it for granted and have not been wise in our choices. Jesus told the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30) in which the master says, “You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master” to the servant who faithfully invested and multiplied the masters resources. To the one who hid the talent in the ground, the master says, “You wicked and slothful servant! You ought to have invested.” Which servant will you and I be when we return to our master someday?
