Community Cleanup

Bible Reading: Genesis 1:28-31; Colossians 1:15-20

Gabe turned his nose away from the fast-food scraps and held them at arm's length. "I think my nose is more sensitive than most. This is disgusting." The sun beat down, and a soft breeze sent wafts of rotten smells up his nostrils.

His friend Cassi just shook her head and urged him on. Their church had partnered with the city to orchestrate a park cleanup across the street from their chapel. It's about time, Gabe had thought. He was tired of stepping over litter at the playground.

Volunteers spread across the grassy opening armed with gloves and rolls of trash bags; only the lucky ones got plastic reach extenders to jab at the waste. After a couple hours of picking up trash, Gabe looked around at the huge park and wondered if it even made a difference.

"Good work, guys!" Gabe and Cassi turned to see the pastor's eldest son, Brent, wheeling a wagon over their way. "Want a bottle of water?" he asked.

They nodded vigorously and Brent handed them each a bottle. Gabe guzzled his down in seconds, flattened the bottle, and tossed it into the recycling bag. He groaned. "It smells out here."

"Do you know why we're doing this park cleanup?" Brent asked them.

Gabe had no idea. With a shrug, Cassie said, "To do something nice for the community, I guess."

"Yes, and we're doing it because God gave us this earth as a gift," Brent explained. "God's given us everything out of love for us--including His own Son to save us so we can have a relationship with Him. The earth is a blessing from God; He provides food, water, shelter, clothing, and medicines through its resources. The things of this earth are meant to be a blessing for everyone, so one way we can show others the love of Jesus, who is King over all God's creation, is by making sure the earth is taken care of."

Cassi nudged Gabe's shoulder and smiled. "Like making sure the playground is clean for everyone to use."

Gabe looked over the playground and imagined how nice it would be for the community if it were all cleaned up. "I guess it would be a good way to love our neighbors."

–Zoe Brickner

How About You?
Do you enjoy being outside in God's beautiful creation? What are some things you have benefited from that come from nature? God made this world for us as an overflow of His endless love--love so great that He gave us His Son, Jesus, who reigns over the earth. One way we can thank God for His gifts and love our neighbors at the same time is by caring for the earth so everyone can enjoy it.

Today's Key Verse:
The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. (NIV) (Psalm 24:1)

Today's Key Thought:
Take care of the earth