Bishop Wills’ Life Journal entry for January 4, 2009 – “A New Year Commitment”

S: Genesis 9: 1 (The Message)
God said, “Prosper! Reproduce! Fill the Earth! Every living creature – birds and fish – will fall under your spell and you will be afraid of you. You’re responsible for them.

O: All of nature is God’s gift to all of us. Every person should feel responsible for all of the life on our planet. We are responsible.

A: In these days, I am more aware than ever how important it is to be good stewards of God’s creation. There was a time when I took creation for granted. I was careless about the planet and what I was doing to harm creation. I was a good person, but careless.

This morning this scripture reminds me as I begin a new year, I must take extra steps to care for this world of ours. For me it means a lot of little things. Recycle papers, plastic and anything else which can be used again.

It means not driving places where I could walk or use public transportation. It means driving a hybrid car and being conscious of my carbon footprint everyday. (actually I had never thought of my carbon footprint until recent years).

It means for me not to take any living thing for granted. All of life is God’s gift to me and every other person.

In this new year I want to be a better steward of creation. I want to take specific steps to be a good steward. After all, just as God told Noah he was responsible, so too I am responsible for all of creation.

P: Lord, thank you for this day. Help me be aware of all the things I can do to be a better steward of all of life. Love, Dick

Y: I will be conscious of my responsibility to care for all of creation