Image Source:  Meetings and Conventions PEI

Abegweit, Cradled on the Waves.  Million Acre Farm.  Garden of the Gulf.  Spud Island.

Prince Edward Island is certainly a beautiful, fertile place.  Its nicknames reflect the Island’s bounty.  Much of the Island’s economy is driven by agriculture, by fishing and aquaculture, and by the one million visitors who flock here every year to enjoy our homegrown food, beautiful surroundings, vibrant culture, and welcoming people.  Many Islanders depend on the environment for their livelihood, directly and indirectly.

Islanders realize the importance of taking care of their surroundings.  Whether they are maintaining their lawns, planting flower and vegetable gardens, sorting their garbage to separate recyclables and compost from waste, or participating in the annual PEI Women’s Institute Roadside Clean Up Day, every Islander does their part to keep PEI beautiful.  Islanders are proud of where they come from and make sure the appearance of their homes and businesses reflects that pride.

Respect for Creation

Earth Day reminds us that we are responsible to take care of the planet we inhabit.  The Bible tells us that God gave humans this responsibility (Genesis 1:26-28; Genesis 9:1-3; Psalm 8).  God gave some specific instructions as examples of how we are to care for creation:

• Don’t needlessly cut down fruit-bearing trees (Deuteronomy 20:19-20)
• Allow land and animals regular rest times (Exodus 23:10-12; Leviticus 25:1-7)
• Allow animals to eat as they work (Deuteronomy 25:4)
• Watch out for other people’s animals (Exodus 23:4-5; Deuteronomy 22:1-4)
• Don’t be cruel to your own animals (Proverbs 12:10)
• Don’t drive wild animals to extinction by eating both the adults and the young when you find them together (Deuteronomy 22:6-7)

All of these instructions are examples of how we are not supposed to exploit the natural resources that are entrusted to our care.  God provides and cares for the animals, trees, and land just as God does for us (Psalm 65:9-13; Matthew 6:26-30).

The Earth is the Lord’s

Why do we need to be careful to respect the environment?  Because it belongs to God (Psalm 24:1-2; Psalm 50:9-12; Psalm 89:11) and so do we!  God created the world and, therefore, is its owner.  We only work for God as tenant farmers of God’s property (Leviticus 25:23).

Jesus told us what happens to those who take care of God’s property in Matthew 25:14-30 and in Matthew 24:45-51:

⁴⁵ “A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. ⁴⁶ If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. ⁴⁷ I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. ⁴⁸ But what if the servant is evil and thinks, ‘My master won’t be back for a while,’ ⁴⁹ and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk? ⁵⁰ The master will return unannounced and unexpected, ⁵¹ and he will cut the servant to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Each of us will be asked to give an account for how we used the resources with which God has entrusted us.  Let’s be sure to be faithful, sensible servants rather than lazy and evil ones!

Here’s a link with some ideas to get you started:  http://www.ibtimes.com/earth-day-2016-activities-15-ideas-ways-celebrate-mother-nature-become-environmental-2356786