Sign-up for free e-newsletter

Viewpoint from Norma Borrett  26/11/2021

Norma Borrett
Member of pastoral team, Seventh-day Adventist Church

Saving the Planet

 
Climate change has become a most pressing global issue of our time. With the recent G20 in Verona and COP26 now underway in Glasgow, we are seeing the biggest, most urgent mobilization of countries, governments, industries, and environmental organizations all rising to the call– last call at the ‘Last Chance Saloon’ (in Prince Charles’ words); or, simply put, saving the planet!  But solutions are seldom simple.  In the case of climate change, these conferences and summits are generally contentious, as member parties weigh and balance the real cost of compromise and unanimity to reduce greenhouse gases, against individual national interests
 
Saving the planet might sound impossibly out of reach, yet on a personal level; we are not deterred, as we take individual responsibility to each do our part – by recycling, consuming less and conserving energy.  Wherever there is life, diversity, beauty and abundance on this planet, there is reason to defend its preciousness
 
The Bible tells of a summit held long ago, at the creation of the world. The fate of mankind, God’s masterpiece, was at stake.  Adam and Eve had fallen into sin and were destined to reap the irrevocable consequence of death, a condition they knew nothing about. What would become of the earth created for their pleasure, sustenance and industry?  It too would suffer and ‘wear out like a garment’
 
The Creator saw in the future a new heaven and a new earth, but not a new human race.  In God’s heart, people are the most precious, irreplaceable part of this planet. The Psalmist, amazed by the improbability of the fact, reflected: “When I consider your heavens, the works of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?” (Psalm 8:3-4).  Because people are irreplaceable, Jesus took the consequence of sin upon Himself, to redeem Adam, Eve and every member of the human race
 
 
There is no catch but, as with all grand plans, it needs to be taken on board individually; and so, it is the choice of each individual to accept redemption for oneself.  The impact of COP26 will, no doubt, be far-reaching; accepting Jesus as Lord and Saviour, infinitely more so
 

 Norma Althea Borrett
 
Norma Borrett grew up in a Christian family in Cardiff, Wales; spent 27 years teaching high school level English language, arts, and drama, first in Bristol and then in California.  She currently lives in Suffolk and works in ministry alongside her husband who pastors the Adventist churches in Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft.  She writes and edits for her church’s publications
  

The views carried here are those of the author, not necessarily of Network Yarmouth, and are intended to stimulate constructive and good-natured debate between website users

We welcome your thoughts and comments, posted below, upon the ideas expressed here

Click here to read our forum and comment posting guidelines