God’s creation is something that we should want to take care of, and this is why Christians (or anyone really) should recycle.
Recycling is something my family takes seriously. We feel it goes hand-in-hand with our lifestyle of grace-filled natural living.
And we’re often left scratching our heads as to why more Christian families do not see caring for Creation as something worthwhile.
I’ve heard people say, “The earth is dying anyway.”
And I get that. I totally do.
But just because something is dying….Does that give us the excuse to abuse it and speed up its deterioration?
In fact, it seems that many believers will go so far as looking down on those who do place an importance on recycling.
I’ve been on that “side.”
Yes, recycling is important to me now, but it wasn’t always this way.
I remember thinking that recycling was a waste of time.
As kids and even in our newlywed days, my husband and I knew of recycling, but we really didn’t give it a second thought. That was for those weird, hippie, natural types–not us “normal” folks.
Ahem. It’s funny how life turns out and we change, isn’t it?!
Then, when our firstborn came along 5 1/2 years ago, we started making major changes in how we ate, what kinds of skincare products we used and, yes, even how we treated Creation.
You see, even though he and I had been Christ-followers for a really long time, we never considered how our flippant consumerism and massive waste-production was detrimental to the world our daughter would grow up in–and the world which God created!!
When our little girl was 6 months old, hubby and I packed up everything and let for a short stint on the mission field. We landed in Vancouver, BC, Canada. There, we were required by law to recycle.
I had never seen so many recycling bins in my life. They lined every street, it seemed. And our apartment building had signs plastered everywhere with what was to be recycled.
After we returned home to the States, we just couldn’t go back to throwing things away that we KNEW could be recycled.
In the video below, I give a sneak peek into our home and our easy recycling routine. I want my children to grow up and learn how that take care of the world that God created for us to enjoy!
Recycling does not have to be difficult or time consuming. You can use a regular trash can or separate bins if you have space. Right now, we have a divided trash can with one side as trash and one side as recycling, and it works so well.
We’ve also tried to make some other small changes like reusing glass containers (since our local facility doesn’t recycle glass) or not using disposable straws.
A few small things we’ve done…
- use silicon, metal, bamboo, and plant-based straws.
- use reusable water bottles (either stainless steel or glass)
- use glass containers instead of plastic
- use reusable snack bags instead of plastic
- use reusable lunch containers
Every little bit helps, and most of these things will save you money in the long run, so it’s a win-win for you and the environment.
DB Landes
I wasn’t big into recycling until I learned about the Pacific Garbage Patch in 2010. Now I recycle, compost, have chickens, and garden. I feel so strongly I changed my blog from Myself Better to The Creative Recycler and I haven’t looked back.
Erin
I’m so glad to hear that!
Linda C.
Yes I agree, we should be taking care of what God created. Too many Christians think it doesn’t matter. Sharing this on FB
Erin
I’m so glad you agree! Thanks, Linda!
Diana
I agree with this so much!!! I’m huge on recycling and get a lot of flack for it. I figure, as far as we know right now, God only gave us one habitable planet so we need to take the best care of it that we can!
Erin
I’m so glad I’m not the only one who feels this way.
Elaine@biculturalhomeschool
I would be considered an ‘environmentalist’ as I feel very convicted about treating God’s creation well, and being good stewards of what he has given us. I know there are Christians who think, this world is temporary and not the everlasting kingdom so we shouldn’t be concerned with this world. But we don’t know how long the human race will be on this earth, our children will have to inherit the state of the earth and our resources, and God’s creation is BEAUTIFUL and perfect, until man started being selfish, by taking and taking and not restoring.
Erin
I totally agree!
Elaine
The Way by Elaine Lockhart 1-16-2016
At the top of a hill, where the clouds are grey,
Is a large, modern city. It is called AWAY.
The houses are fancy. The buildings are tall.
There are parks for play, and many a mall.
The people there are busy. They work, and they play.
And they get cranky when someone gets in their way.
Their lives are all about themselves, never about others.
They don’t even care about fathers and mothers.
They love their things. All kinds of things.
They work hard to buy new clothes, cars, and rings.
When they get tired of their games and toys,
They throw them away, to find new joys.
They put all the garbage on a barge, and let it go.
The river takes it somewhere they don’t know.
They don’t know where it goes, and simply don’t care.
As long as it goes someplace, not there.
The barge floats downstream til it comes to a stop
At a city quite different from the one at the top.
The town of Way is an amazing place.
There are gardens filling every space.
The buildings are simple, yet beautiful to see.
The artistic fountains dance merrily.
The best part, tho, in the city of Way,
Is the people. The people made me want to stay.
The people are so happy. Their hearts are so large.
And they tell me it is all because of the barge.
The barge full of trash changed them all.
I asked them the beginning, to please recall.
One day, a man, while doing a chore,
Caught site of the barge caught on the shore.
He called all his friends, and they had quite some fun
Looking thru all the stuff. There was a ton.
Believe it or not, they found something to do
With everything on the barge, even a shoe!
They made compost piles, that made them rich soil
Which grew better vegetables, with less toil.
They fixed some things, and for others, used it’s parts.
They made useful things, like lamps and carts.
They melted stuff and gave it a new shape
Like a brick for a building, or a holder for tape.
Other things they used for art.
The city was decorated on every part.
There is a bench made of tires that looks like a snake.
And a fountain made of a shovel and rake.
They watched for more barges and surely they came.
Full of garbage that was treated the same.
The people of Way treated it like treasure.
Finding uses for everything gave them pleasure.
Because of the barge, the people became quite smart.
They researched how to transform the stuff from the start.
They invented new methods and taught others how.
Way is the most advanced city now.
One shocking day, in the town of Way
They found, on the barge lay
Living people; unwanted babies, handicapped, and old
Thrown in the trash, like bread that grew mold.
To the people of Way, this was a new door.
To help these people, they studied even more.
They learned how to heal. They invented tools
That helped people talk, walk, or swim in the pools.
They put us in families, that showed love and care.
Everyone in Way made us welcome there.
They nurtured and cared for us so much,
That all recovered with their loving touch.
The barge taught them that with thought and smarts
Garbage could be valued for its uses and art.
And if garbage could be seen as a treasure
Surely, people have value beyond measure.
I thanked my family, again, for all they had done
But they pointed to another One.
How did they pour out so much love?
They follow The Way, who came from above.