In these times that are getting closer and closer to a climatic, food and energy apocalypse, the need to adopt new behaviours and be better citizens is increasing. Terms such as sustainable, responsible, renewable, ecological, green, or even natural dot our vocabulary, thus promising a move away from legendary human selfishness and paving the way towards a more inclusive world, that of the citizens of the earth.
Thanks to generations X and Y, who have only just realized that they will be the most to be pitied in the future, these ecological warfares are much more intense than ever and practised in a myriad of ways: from waste and food recycling, to the use of renewable resources, it is our entire consumption system is being turned upside down.
Although some pursue this cause out of greed, many pursue it out of genuine awareness for a better world and a better tomorrow. In view of this, and at the risk of shocking many, this way of thinking is in no way different from the driving force of the Bible: love, loving your neighbour to be precise. Because no matter the scale on which we take citizen actions, the final goal of this planetary manoeuvre is to live in harmony, all together, and as long as possible on our big blue ball.
The necessary tandem
Being a good Christian is not just about remaining in prayer, mastering the Bible or having extrasensory experiences.
If you have based your entire faith on the vertical relationship between you and the Lord, then you find yourself wanting when it comes to the horizontal relationship with people. It goes without say, if you base your beliefs this time on maximising horizontal, and therefore human interactions and relationships, you would ignore 50% of your purpose on earth. Because loving your neighbour is inherent to loving God, you cannot have one without the other (1 John 4:20).
Showing interest and respect for others is therefore essential to our status as Christians. Many young people in the West have demonstrated this by missing every Friday’s classes at school. Was this the thing to do? Well, that’s a story for another debate. But there’s no need to go to such extremes if you aren’t up to it.
You can simply make sure to put your rubbish in a dustbin, follow the recycling rules in your building, drive your car smoothly, or even get involved in an association which fights for the planet, why not!? In short, there are a thousand ways to act when thinking a little about others and serving them to the best of your capacities, just like Jesus did (Mark 10:45).
Dear responsible world citizens
Environmentalists will say that there is no action too small when it comes to saving the planet. I will second that statement by saying there is no action too small when it comes to demonstrating that you have assimilated the fundamentals of the Gospel. Because serving and loving your brother, including the brothers of tomorrow, is basic. And Jesus loves that!!
