I am writing this post during the 2020 Covid-19 lockdown. There are reports worldwide about the effect that the lack of pollution is having on cities. In Venice, which recently had murky, dirty, lifeless canals because of the constant boat traffic, water pollution and cruise ships, the canals are now becoming clear and there fish swimming in them - CNN story link. In India because of the lack of air pollution people in the state of Punjab can now see the Himalayan mountains for the first time in decades - CNN story link.
On a daily basis we are reading about the impact of a lack of factory production and travel upon the environment. This lockdown has only been in place for a few months and nature is just naturally healing itself. When the lockdown is lifted, it will be interesting to see if Venice values tourism over clean and healthy canals and if Punjab values industrialization over clean air.
We face the same question in our lives - what will we value the most? The world around us throws pollutants at us all the time, negative thinking, gossip, sexualized and violent media, and more. We can come to assume that pollution is normal and there is nothing we can do about living a polluted life. Of course, if we are not seeking to glorify God with our lives we are living a polluted life. Pollution is just a result of the fallen state of our world.
We can choose to let go of the practices and habits which allow pollution to enter into our lives. When we live with active sin in our lives it clouds our relationship with God and those that God has put into our lives, our decisions, our view of the world around us and our view of ourselves.
Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Once we make the choice to free ourselves from polluting influences our minds and bodies begin to be renewed. God's original intent for us was to be clean and wholesome. What will we value most? The tantalizing draw of worldly pollution or the clarity and beauty that comes with being pollution-free?
On a daily basis we are reading about the impact of a lack of factory production and travel upon the environment. This lockdown has only been in place for a few months and nature is just naturally healing itself. When the lockdown is lifted, it will be interesting to see if Venice values tourism over clean and healthy canals and if Punjab values industrialization over clean air.
We face the same question in our lives - what will we value the most? The world around us throws pollutants at us all the time, negative thinking, gossip, sexualized and violent media, and more. We can come to assume that pollution is normal and there is nothing we can do about living a polluted life. Of course, if we are not seeking to glorify God with our lives we are living a polluted life. Pollution is just a result of the fallen state of our world.
We can choose to let go of the practices and habits which allow pollution to enter into our lives. When we live with active sin in our lives it clouds our relationship with God and those that God has put into our lives, our decisions, our view of the world around us and our view of ourselves.
Romans 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Once we make the choice to free ourselves from polluting influences our minds and bodies begin to be renewed. God's original intent for us was to be clean and wholesome. What will we value most? The tantalizing draw of worldly pollution or the clarity and beauty that comes with being pollution-free?
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