By Peter Scholtens

Humans are strange creatures. When we find something worth doing, we become enthusiastic about it. And then, in order to give structure to our enthusiasm, we quickly make a list of rules and regulations for people to follow. That way they know how to be enthusiastic about that particular cause. They will know which actions to take, which agencies to support, what to pray for, and which organizations to volunteer for. We want structure.

As a child, my parents read to us from the Old Testament or children’s story bibles. We always wanted to know if the king in the story was good or bad. We want to be able to know right from wrong, black from white, good from evil. We don’t like ambiguity.

Why is this? Why do we have this deep need to categorize? Why don’t we want to wrestle deeply with issues? Why do we want a track to follow?

Because, fundamentally, we are legalists. We like to follow rules. Don’t smoke, don’t drink, and don’t swear. And we love to judge those who do.

So what does this have to do with earth keeping? Those of us who are waking up to the need to care for creation follow the same format. As we become aware that our planet has finite resources, we have created a list of behaviours that are expected of environmentalists. Plug in the right light bulb, drive the right vehicle, eat the right food, and you will be judged righteous.

But life is a journey. Everyone starts out from a different point. The heroin addict who was raised in an abusive home, and then abandoned as a teenager, has a huge handicap. Yet those of us who were raised in homes with stable, loving families judge her if, although she is now free of addiction to hard drugs, she still smokes and swears.

But we need to show grace. We don’t know where people are starting from. We don’t know what they are struggling with. Efforts should not be judged by external results.

The same is true in caring for creation. We all start from different backgrounds. Some of us move into the modes of creation stewardship much more easily than others. And then some of us feel like we’re caught in snow drifts (hard to imagine this summer in Ontario) and progress is difficult. We need help from those who are running by on snow shoes inherited from their ancestors. Let’s support each other in our journeys and be encouraging. Show grace in caring for the good earth God has given us!