The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to Him. – Psalm 24:1 NLT
Earth Day is an annual holiday to celebrate the earth and show support for environmental protection. Earth Day was first celebrated in 1970 and has since grown to include numerous events and conservation efforts coordinated worldwide.
Maybe you’re wondering if, as a Christian, it’s appropriate for you to celebrate Earth Day. And if so, how do you participate in a way that keeps God at the center?
God’s Design for Creation
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth and called them good. He created animals, plants, flowers, night and day, land and sea. He created man and woman in His image. And then, He delighted in and enjoyed what He had made.
Unfortunately, the natural world was not unaffected by Adam and Eve’s disobedience in the garden (Genesis 3). Romans 8:20 says, “Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse” (NLT). As a result of sin entering the world, the earth became an often-harsh, inhospitable, dangerous place to live.
The good news is that God has a plan to redeem everything back to its original design. Romans 8 continues, “But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay” (8:21 NLT). One day, Jesus is going to return. And when He does, He’s going to make all things—both those of us who are in Him and the earth itself—new.
Should Christians Celebrate Earth Day?
As Christians, we don’t worship the earth, we worship the One who made it—just like the earth itself does! In Luke 19:40, Jesus says, “‘If [My followers] kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!’” Psalm 19 says, “The heavens proclaim the glory of God, the skies display His craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make Him known. They speak without a sound or word; their voice is never heard. Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world” (19:1-4 NLT).
The earth proclaims the glory of God. We can (and should!) participate in that proclamation, too. The beauty, wonder, and majesty to be found in the natural world is not meant to be an end or a revelation in itself; we do not give nature power of its own, and neither does it have divine knowledge of its own. On the contrary, all of creation falls under the authority and power of God. In Matthew 8:27, after Jesus calms a storm with a rebuke, one of the disciples says, “‘Who is this man?...Even the wind and the waves obey Him!” (NLT).
The beauty of creation is meant to direct our gaze back to the Creator in worship and awe of Him and His master craftsmanship.
How Should Christians Participate in Earth Day?
In all of our efforts to protect and care for the earth, we remember that we do so in gratitude to God for giving human beings a place to live and thrive. We thank Him for the earth’s gratuitous beauty which is intended to regularly surprise and delight us.
We respect the earth, we care for it as best we can, we enjoy it for everything good it has to offer—all the while glorifying God as the ultimate Creator, Sustainer, and Giver of life.
A Christian Prayer for Earth Day
Heavenly Father, Almighty Creator, thank You so much for Your creation. Every time I step outside and see its beauty, I am reminded of Your power, majesty, goodness, and love. Thank You for sustaining life on our planet. Thank You everything it teaches me about You. Help me to respect and care for it to the best of my abilities. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Additional Bible Verses to Celebrate Earth Day
For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see His invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.
O LORD, what a variety of things You have made! In wisdom You have made them all. The earth is full of Your creatures…May the glory of the LORD continue forever! The LORD takes pleasure in all He has made! The earth trembles at His glance; the mountains smoke at His touch. I will sing to the LORD as long as I live. I will praise my God to my last breath! May all my thoughts be pleasing to Him, for I rejoice in the LORD. Let all sinners vanish from the face of the earth; let the wicked disappear forever. Let all that I am praise the LORD.
“You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power. For You created all things, and they exist because You created what You pleased.”
By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen.
Psalm 33:6 NLT
The LORD merely spoke, and the heavens were created. He breathed the word, and all the stars were born.
