Garbage island

The waters He called Seas. And God saw that it was good.     — Genesis 1:10

The other day I ran across a troubling report about people who think it is acceptable to use the ocean as a giant garbage dump. Here is an excerpt: “If you should see this amazing float pile of plastic in the Pacific Ocean, it’s called ‘The Great Pacific Garbage Patch.’ It features three million tons of plastic debris floating in an area larger than Texas. An eye-popping 46,000 pieces of plastic float on every square mile of ocean!” Other sources estimate the amount of garbage is even bigger. Plastic is especially bad because it does not dissolve.

During our sojourn on earth, we have been charged like Adam, with taking care of the earth and its creatures that God has given us. Genesis 2:15 says, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it.” God delights in what He has made and this extends to the sea and all that live in it (1:10, 20-21).

This world should remind us of the greatness of our Creator and serve as a springboard of praise to Him. Indifferently using it as a garbage dump mars its beauty and threatens the creatures that live here. Showing respect and caring for the island, the ocean, and the air is our duty as believers in Christ.  — Dennis Fisher

The natural world that God has made

Must not be used at whim;

We serve as stewards of His earth,

Responsible to Him. — D. De Haan

READ: Genesis 1:20-28; 2:15

Caring for God’s creation is the believer’s duty.

The Bible in one year:

• Psalms 51-53

• Romans 2