Seek First the Kingdom of God

I have been writing some reflections for the master classes I have been taking this summer. Seems such a shame to waste all my thoughts on an e-mail to an instructor, so I've decided to post a few here. :D

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How do we care for nature without worshiping it?  We must cautiously walk the line between care for our world and embracing animism.  “Nothing must come before the kingdom of God, including the desire for a simple life-style.” “The person who does not seek the kingdom first does not seek it at all.” (Schut p. 185 &186)  If we put nature before God we cease to care and protect it; instead we move toward idolatry.

            This idolatry manifests its self in the subtle forms of animism, pantheism, Wicca, and New Age.  All of these religious expressions begin by seeing nature as more than the created.  Each of the beliefs has been woven into some Christians’ belief systems.  Such worship is deadly to the true Christian walk.

            Satan does not wrap his forms of religion in unattractive vessels.  His lies have some truth carefully mix in as to draw you unawares.  Each form of nature worship holds the truth that we were made to care for our world.  Yet it artfully wraps this and exalts the creation above the creator.

            When we fall for these kinds of worship we loose our grip on God’s principles.  We can no longer find the true rest in a simple life.  Contrary to scripture, we come to care more for the perceived “soul” of the natural world than for the hearts of the people for whom our Savior died.  In the end, even our successful efforts to better that planet’s natural systems have failed. 

            The best way we can care for the planet, is not to seek first global life-styles, but to seek first God.  When we seek first our Lord, He cleans the inside of our hearts.  The natural out growing of this process makes us the global citizens we should be.  His love in our lives kills the selfishness that dwells within and guides us to give of ourselves in a life of simplicity.