Why I Care: Carl G. Austin
Creation Care is an idea whose time has come—not only for me but apparently for many other Evangelicals as well. It’s quite amazing to me that I’m part of a committee looking at ways we can bless the environment not only through and at Northland, but the Body as a whole, and hopefully the world as well. My personal commitment to this effort is no less surprising to me than the recent coming together of Evangelicals and secular scientists that Joel attended.
About eight months ago I saw the Al Gore movie about global warming: An Inconvenient Truth. I went because it got four stars and I was curious. I went more because I’m a movie buff than from any great interest in the environment. Prior to that movie I was not much focused on topics like global warming or the conservation of energy or the recycling of resources. However, for many years I had been aware of the rather sobering statistic that the U.S. accounts for only 5% of our planet’s population but consumes 20% of its resources. At one time the cynic in me said, “so what” or “ho hum, what else is new.” I viewed that statistic as an attempt by some very liberal social scientists to make the rest of us consumers feel guilty.
However, over the past few years, as I’ve matured as a Christian, I’ve felt a definite tug at my heart to be more “globally” responsible to my fellow man. Our mandate is not only to love God with all our heart and mind, but to love and care for our neighbor as well. In a world of limited resources where millions live in abject poverty I feel a need to do what I can at every level to make a difference. I see participating in the Creation Care initiative as dovetailing with the couple of mission trips I’ve taken and my participation in Northland’s homeless ministry. My contribution in these activities is less than a drop in the bucket, and yet I know very definitely that it is what the Lord wants me to do. And I know that the little voice in my thoughts that says, “Forget it, you can’t make any difference” is not from the Holy Spirit.
On the first Friday of this past September I attended the previewing of the global warming movie at Northland and the town meeting discussion afterwards. The large crowd in the sanctuary indicated that there was more interest in the topic than I would have imagined. The movie paralleled the Al Gore move rather nicely and it was equally compelling. However, what was most compelling for me was the discussion that followed. Several fellows had obviously been reading books disputing the science behind global warming and wanted to argue. I understand that weather patterns are cyclical and I also understand that scientists often have a point of view and a political agenda, but at that particular moment I was so turned off by the negativity of those individuals that I was convicted of every cynical, contrarian view I’ve ever personally held. The following day I sent Pastor Joel an email of support and much to my surprise ended up on a committee.
And so I’m rather surprised to find myself on this committee, but what’s really interesting is that most are equally surprised that they’re there too. We all said something to the effect that, “A year ago I could never have imagined being part of a committee interested in the environment.” Also, the committee has a balance of talents, gifts, skill-sets and interests that says to me that it didn’t happen by chance—looks to me like the Holy Spirit’s been at work.
Carl G. Austin
1-21-07
