A Biblical Perspective
Maybe you never thought about metals, minerals, or mining practices before today. But not knowing where something comes from or how it is made doesn't mean you aren't responsible for using it. The fact that our lives benefit from people who destroy the earth (literally blasting it apart in the case of mining operations!) means we need to be thoughtful about how we live. We can change the way we use things and apologize to God for our part in messing up the planet, then we can accept God's grace through the cross, on which Jesus carried our greed and destructive habits.
In Him we can have the wisdom and motivation to make changes. The first step is to start recognizing that the way we treat the environment is a part of holy, godly living. God has given us the ability to take care of the temporary treasures of earth in ways that reflect His goodness, uphold His natural world, and serve the people who rely on it.
God made the minerals and metals as resources for the things we need, but we should be careful not to be greedy or take things just because we want them. And how we get these materials from the earth should match the character of the God who put them there in the first place.
The Mountains and God Protect Us
Many times in Scripture, God's people had to hide in the cliffs and caves of mountains when they were in danger. In Psalm 121, the psalm writer looked up to the hills for a reminder that his help comes from the Lord.
God Himself is compared to the mountains as our refuge and strong shelter. Psalm 125:2 says,
As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people both now and forevermore. — NIV
Yet God is greater and sturdier than the most solid mountain range.
In the words of Psalm 46:1–3:
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. — NIV
Minerals Are God's Unique Creation
Silver, sapphires, opals, and gold — all the precious metals and gems — were made in the earliest days of creation, watched over personally by God. For the one-of-a-kind crystals to grow, each mineral required specific conditions and ingredients: the right mixture of elements, intense pressure, high temperatures, space, and time. John 1:3 says,
Through Him all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. — NIV
God is the melder of minerals and knows the location of each deposit. How awesome is He to hide beautiful things in the ground for us to discover!
Have you ever found a particularly sparkly rock or stone on the playground or in a park? Maybe you showed it off to your friends or took it home to add to your rock collection. Minerals and gemstones are one of the most dazzling parts of God's creation. Sometimes Christians worry that when we appreciate the beauty in this world, we may be tempted to worship nature instead of its Creator. We can avoid this by remembering that
- God is way more awesome than anything He's created.
Beauty in nature points to its Maker. We can simply say thanks to Him! Then show our gratitude by holding our earthly treasures with open hands — happy not only to show and tell but to share.
No comments:
Post a Comment