January 10th 2010

In our house, we have four ways of disposing of things that we no longer need. Of those four methods, only one involves a trash bin. The others all involve some form of recycling. For instance, most of our “expired” food, whether it’s table scraps, stuff that’s past its prime or the unneeded products of preparation, goes into the compost heap. We can do that because we use what’s called a digester which can handle everything from bones to lettuce.
Paper and most paper products also get recycled, as do most plastics and all our glass containers. Then, of course, there are local thrift shops to receive all of our non-waste items, like old still useful clothes, books, household things or other objects that are no longer needed. The result of all this diligent recycling is that we usually have only one garbage bin on trash collection day sitting alongside three full recycling bins. Meanwhile, our neighbours usually go the other way: two or three trash bins and only one or two recycling bins.
I’m very conscious of getting rid of waste wisely. I realize full well that we only have limited space on planet earth, and that it doesn’t make sense to use parts of it as storage space for heaps and piles of useless trash. Furthermore, most of the stuff we throw away can be or recycled so that the raw materials can be reused one way or another. It only makes sense. After all, why throw out waste food when it can be used to make compost? Or why waste metals, paper, plastics or glass when, in most cases, those items can be recycled back into their original form?
When God made the earth, He made it self-sufficient. Nature operates as a self-contained unit, reusing and recycling it’s raw materials in a brilliant and amazing way. Sure, God provides life, but the physical parts take care of themselves according to God’s blueprints. We’re part of that delicately balanced dance of nature. Sure, God provides us with life and wisdom, but we are, physically, part of the rest of nature, not above it or apart from it.
The stuff we use is also part of our home planet, and as such, it is in finite supply. Whatever raw materials we use to build our homes, furniture doesn’t come out of thin air. It is mined, grown or manufactured according to our needs and according to the limited supply available on earth. That’s why I think it’s so important to reuse or recycle as much as possible. It’s the natural product of our role as stewards of this good earth. Simply throwing stuff away is wasteful, and dare I say it, sinful.
We enjoy a wonderful God-given home, the only one we have. There is no alternative, no back up plan for us in this physical realm. That means we have to take care of it and use all it’s resources wisely, not wastefully. Sure, one day we won’t need this place. One day God will provide for His people a permanent, perfect, Spiritual home. However, do you really think He’ll want us there if we can’t take care of what He’s already given us?
Good stewardship. Reducing, reusing and recycling. It’s not just a good idea. It’s a demonstration that we really do appreciate and deserve this wonderful planet we call home. At least that’s the way I see it.

December 27th

I was saddened by yet another death recently, but not one within my own family. No, this time it was a young professional football player who met with a very untimely end. Chris Henry, a 26 year old rising star in the National Football league, died as a result of injuries sustained from falling off the back of a pickup truck. I’m not a football fan at all but the tragic circumstances that led to Mr. Henry’s demise really hit home with me.
From what I understand it was just a moment of fun, just one of those instant decisions that seems like good idea at the time, but turns out to have horrible, life shattering consequences. That’s what saddened me about the story. The death of my two aunts, sad as it was, came after long lives and as a natural conclusion to various illnesses. Although never fully expected, when death comes in those circumstances it at least seems like part of the natural order of things. You live till a ripe old age, health declines, and you shrug off the mortal to put on God’s promised immortality.
The sudden accident that in a few days led to the death of a young healthy man doesn’t quite fit into that vision. Life should not end so quickly. Nor should it be so easily snuffed out because of a single choice of something that seemed perfectly harmless at the time. How many of us have acted far too quickly only to reflect on our dangerous folly with all too frightening hindsight? How many times have we opted to do something on the spur of the moment only narrowly avoiding unhappy, long lasting consequences? How many times will we do just the same thing?
Part of human genius is the ability to make quick decisions and take instant action. We need to be able to react speedily, sometimes to avoid danger, sometimes to achieve success and sometimes just to make silly comments that come quickly to mind, or to a little spontaneous fun. Most of the time those quick choices lead to safety, success, a good laugh or a great time but sometimes, as is all too obvious, the results are not pleasant at all.
So where is God in all of this? What does our heavenly Creator have to do with this reflection on our hasty decisions and lasting consequences? Well, I think the answer lies in God’s incredible permanence and reliability. God laughs with us when we share a quick joke (in good taste, mind you...) and God applauds us when we succeed (fairly) because of our quick reactions and ability to think on our feet.
Yet when those choices are poor or harmful, God is there to support us, to forgive us, to help us make it through the tragedy. Calm, patient and steadfastly loyal, God sees us through the pain, however long it takes. He’s already seen to it that we’re covered for our mistakes. Jesus paid that price long ago. We can help ourselves, too, by thinking things through a little better and by relying on God’s wisdom to help us make the right decision. But when that’s not possible, or we make a poor choice, we can trust that God will have the right answer for us the moment we need it. At least that’s the way I see it.