Balance

These past few weeks have seen much needed rain in North Carolina. The area was very dry because of the year-long drought and as with everything in life, there comes a time to balance that out. Now we are getting rain. Some people gripe and complain because of the cloudy days, rain ruining their plans, yards turned into swamps, etc. But we all must remember that in order to overcome the drought, there has to be a very wet period. Not only does the current year's rainfall need to be met, but last year's deficit has to be filled. All of these thoughts had me thinking today about our planet Earth.

One of the hot topics on everyone's minds these days is Global Warming. While I will not doubt that the earth has warmed in the last 150 years, I don't believe we are headed for a natural catastrophe as all the papers, news stories, and other media would have us believe. First of all, from around 1300 to the mid-1800s, the earth was in the middle of a "mini Ice Age" that affected Viking settlements on Greenland and wine producing in England, caused food shortages for Native Americans and the flooding of Timbuktu several times, and for a little-known historical trivia that was made famous in the Emanuel Leutze painting Washington Crossing the Delaware, the Delaware doesn't freeze as it did when Washington and his men crossed over it during Christmas 1776.

Around 1850, the earth started to gradually warm and the temperature has increased since then. Now all one hears on the news now is what cities will be under the ocean in 100 years, which areas of the earth will be dust bowls, and how many species will become extinct because of the drastic habitat change. I am not worried over any of these possibilities. Why? Because God is in control. He has sustained this planet we call home since He created it several thousand years ago. Colossians 1:16-17 states

For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven,
and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they
be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers:
all things were created by Him, and for Him:

And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist.

All basic scientific principles are implied in these two verses. The Earth and all Creation is held together by His power and nothing will happen to it without His knowledge or His allowing it, including Global Warming. In the future, God will purge this present planet with a fervent heat and will re-create an newly improved Creation that will be free from the Curse of sin for eternity. Can you imagine what that Creation will be? I am constantly in awe when I view God's present, sin-cursed Creation. Just think what the new one will be!

Since today is Earth Day, I felt that these thoughts are appropriate. I am all for conserving energy, saving precious habitats for endangered species, and curbing the rabid growth of concrete, but as my titles says, there must be a balance. Just as the rain comes to quench the dry, parched earth, God is keeping His Creation in balance and we have nothing to worry about with regards to the ocean swallowing up real estate. Keep looking to Him and "the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace."

Have a blessed day.