World Earth Day

Yesterday, 22nd April, was World Earth Day. I’m not sure I would have been aware of this fact unless I had listened to a wonderful daily Bible reading App called Lectio 365, which is available to download for free. I have recommended it before in the blog because I find it so helpful.

I discovered that World Earth Day became ‘a thing’ in 1970 when a US democratic, Senator Gaylord Nelson, and a peace activist called John McConnell, combined forces following a UNESCO conference in San Francisco in 1969. A day was proposed to honour the earth and promote peace, and signed by secretary general of the United Nations,  U Thant. The first day in 1970 held in the United States was a nationwide environmental teach-in. It grew and became an international focus for environmental issues and, today, over 1 billion people globally take part. They do things like plant trees, pick litter and help to raise awareness of the importance of looking after our planet, not just for now, but for future generations.

I was interested to discover that John McConnell was a devout Christian and his Christian upbringing was a key driving force in his lifelong quest for justice and getting involved in a movement that laboured for peace and for the care of the earth. In 1939, when working for a plastics factory, he became aware of the level of pollution this factory was releasing into the atmosphere and he sought to learn more about green technology which could be used in businesses and schools.

His Christian worldview wanted to celebrate the beauty of the world God had created and also recognise our responsibility to steward it. From Genesis chapter 1, we discover that this is a God given task and it prompts an important question for all of us about what can I do to play a part in restoring the earth? I loved the prayer in yesterday’s devotion which asked God to give special wisdom to politicians and leaders of industry in these matters and the courage to get it done.

Listening to that devotion gave me the proverbial kick in the backside to take some action about something I had been thinking about for some time.

I have never been a gardener. Cutting the grass is the height of my involvement in anything to do with the garden and even that is currently curtailed as the lawnmower is away having a service.

I’m mindful of those who enjoy gardening and always have wonderful displays of flowers or vegetables or fruits that they love to share when they are harvesting them. I’m also conscious of how much plastic and packaging we pick up with our groceries when we buy things like fruit, or vegetables or herbs.

A while ago, I went to the library and got out a book about growing fruit and vegetables and herbs in pots. As I’m not a handy man by any stretch of the imagination, I felt nervous and I’m not quite sure why. I went to a garden centre and explained I was clueless and wanted to have a go at growing some herbs and asked what would I need?

The sales person was very helpful and suggested a planter. They checked if we had any compost and sold me some plants. On World Earth Day, rather appropriately, I sowed my first herb plants – some rosemary, parsley, basil and rocket which, I understand, will require a bit more watering and looking after.

The theme of this years World Earth Day was ‘Planet v. Plastic’ and, while I don’t know if these herbs are going to take off and grow, it’s my first attempt at trying to do something to consciously reduce the amount of plastic packaging coming into the house. Hearing about the power of simple choices and individual actions is always a powerful motivator.

Listening to that devotional prompted me to look up some more environmental solutions for unblocking clogged sinks – (boiling water, baking powder and vinegar, if you want to know) and taping a gardening programme on TV for the first time in my life. I also watched a YouTube video from the Royal Horticultural Society about growing your own herbs.

I’ve no idea how any of it will go, but I’m grateful to have been reminded about the significance of the choices I make, and God’s call on all of our lives to appreciate the beauty of all that He has created, and our responsibility, individually and collectively, to steward it.

My guest on this week’s podcast is young Stevie Mulrooney, who sang Ireland’s call before Ireland played against Italy in the 6 Nations Rugby championship.

Stevie’s dad shared a powerful and poignant story with me about meeting a homeless man on the street after Stevie sang so powerfully. This man was delighted to meet Stevie and asked for a photo with him which he was going to hang up in his tent where he spent his nights.

Stevie’s dad reminded Stevie that this man was just like him, only he was down on his luck, perhaps through circumstance or addiction, and how important it is to be humble and grateful for what we have been given.

I hope you enjoy our conversation and Stevie’s amazing singing!

Look forward to speaking again soon.

Much love to everyone,

Jono.

Listen to the latest episode of ‘Bitesize Chunks of Faith’