There is Nothing New Under the Sun

"What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done there is nothing new under the sun" (ECC 1:9 RSV).

While I’ve read this Bible verse several times, I am often struck by how many times I rediscover its truth. This morning I was part of a group of people who are earnestly trying to respond to a call from one of our senior executive leaders “to do what we can” to be good stewards of God’s creation. This is refreshing, as living in Colorado Springs has put me in relationship with many well meaning people who believe that global warming is some sort of hoax – designed to take energy away from what really matters. The idea of “creation care” is often quickly dismissed in favor of arguing about whether global warming is real. This argument just leads to inaction.

I was sitting in the meeting feeling that a new day is dawning and as a group of Christians we are really going to take the lead and do what we can. We are committing ourselves to make a difference because of the impact we have on others, whether or not global warming is caused by man. Our actions are truly a major shift from the position that “we” were taking just a few short months ago. It was inspired by a passage taken from Visions of a World Hungry by Thomas G. Pettepiece, Published 1979. Once again, I was delightfully reminded that we are just being awoken again to live missional lives.

The passage follows and I think I’ll make this part of my daily reading.

Recognizing that the earth and the fullness thereof is a gift from our gracious God, and that we are called to cherish, nurture, and provide loving stewardship for the earth’s resources.
And recognizing that life itself is a gift, and a call to responsibility, joy, and celebration, I make the following declarations:

1. I declare myself to be a world citizen..
2. I commit myself to lead an ecologically sound life.
3. I commit myself to lead a life of creative simplicity and to share my personal wealth with the world’s poor.
4. I commit myself to join with others in reshaping institutions in order to bring about a more just global society in which each person has full access to the needed resources for their physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual growth.
5. I commit myself to occupational accountability, and in so doing I will seek o avoid the creation of products which cause harm to others.
6. I affirm the gift of my body, and commit myself to its proper nourishment and physical well-being.
7. I commit myself to examine continually my relations with others, and to attempt to relate honestly, morally, and lovingly to those around me.
8. I commit myself to personal renewal through prayer, meditation and study.
9. I commit myself to responsible participation in a community of faith.

- From Visions of a World Hungry by Thomas G. Pettepiece, Published 1979