Many people are spending a great deal of time thinking about how we can go green. Proponents are usually talking about renewable sources of energy. There are tons of books on ways to help us to plan for a healthier future, with the three Rs—Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

A number of people say there is no need to be concerned. There is strong and heated debate about global warming being fact or fiction. Some will tote reusable bags from merchant to merchant. Others complain about paying for a bag after making a purchase. No matter which side is right about the temperature of earth time will tell.

If you believe the earth will end in a virtual ball of fire or you think that things are well as they are, what would be wrong with taking your own bags to the market, managing the fuel in your vehicle or giving your appliances the afternoon off?

How about starting a compost heap for your household and doing what you can daily to lessen your negative footprint on the globe?

While composting may sound difficult, it is simply organic matter, which has been allowed to decompose and is recycled to create nutrient rich soil that reduces the waste on this planet. In other words, we can use our garbage to create something useful for ourselves and others as we transform unwanted debris into a valuable commodity. Although the process is rather simple it is more work than fun, however the outcome is well worth the work.

How about living green in your personal domicile? There is much debate over Jesus the Christ. Some say He was a man, others just as passionately affirm He was a part of the Godhead. The bottom line is time will tell. Yes, in time the debate will be over, the results will be tabulated and the winners of the debate will be awarded their prizes.

What would happen if you decided to examine the possibilities closely? If you choose to live your life loving your neighbor as yourself what could happen? Is it possible some of the hate, illness and depravity could be changed into usable energy that would cause the planet to be a better place to inhabit? Is it possible the garbage that has entered into our lives, and continues to mound can be transformed into valuable sought after commodities like peace and joy?

No, it is generally not considered fun to “turn the other cheek” or “extend the olive branch”, however what are the outcomes? Are the results of turning that refuse into positive expressions of love, health and well-being worth the effort?

The organic farmer knows until the nutrient rich soil is produced the compost heap pretty much looks like a pile of waste. As we go through the trials of our life we may think, “What a waste of time and energy, how could a loving God have allowed me to go through that?” or “Why is it taking so much time for this to be over?”

Our insides are packed with that organic matter that requires turning and tending. The outside appearance is not as important as the actions that take place deep inside the pile. That turning and tending may go unnoticed by anyone not doing the work. It may seem to others that you are lacking in value and worth. Yet, with your participation the work continues. Others are not required to join in for the work to proceed. You may even get laughed at for behaving like you love your neighbor as yourself. You may be ridiculed for loving God and following His will.

Remember the story of Noah and the Ark. Noah was building on the Ark for decades. Not a year or so; decades. The lifespan was much longer then than it is now. According to Genesis 5:32 Noah was 500 years old when his first son was born! The word tells us that the Ark was to be a place of safety for Noah, his wife, their sons and their respective wives. We also see in Genesis 7:6 that Noah was 600 years old when the Flood came. There is speculation on how long it took for Noah to build the Ark, it appears his sons (he had more than one) would have needed to reach the age to take a wife, before the Flood came. Yet God appeared to have made a covenant with Noah at least when he was 500 years old to begin preparation of the Ark.

Can you imagine working on a project in your front yard, where all the world could see, that was approximately 450 feet long by 75 feet wide by 45 feet high, for an event that had never taken place before, because you had heard from God? Can you hear the people making light of Noah? In our world there would probably be a Facebook page and Twitter dialog about that man and his boat! Then it took time to load it up with the animals and provisions before the waters began to rise. All of the time on the outside people failed to see the divine transformation taking place on the inside. Can you imagine the peace and joy Noah and his family must have felt when the Ark was gently placed in safety after the flood?

So was the risk of following the path of loving God and those jeering neighbors worth it? That account in the book of Genesis is there for us, you and me. Our all-knowing Father in heaven knew what we would face now. He knew that we would feel like garbage heaps, He knew that people would not see beneath the surface, He knew that there would be debate, and He knew that the flood waters would come to fulfill His purpose. So now as we endeavor to turn our pile of refuse into love, peace and joy let us be patient, and know that He is God!  Verse 10 of Psalm chapter 46 puts it this way in the Message Version, “Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything.”

Take Inventory and Take Action. Live green!

Love,

Deborah

“Lighting the path to loving your neighbor as yourself.”