Explorations in Just Living
About this blog
Welcome to the blog of the Enough for Everyone program of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). By "just living" we mean both justice-based living and just simply living – freeing ourselves from the clutter of stuff so we can focus on living faithfully and living well. Join us in the exploration!
About the Author
Bryce Wiebe coordinates Enough for Everyone, a ministry of the Presbyterian Hunger Program. He loves slow food and is fascinated by the way things are made. He is excited to dive into experiments in simplicity with you. His sacred cow of consumption: kitchen gadgets.
Recent posts
- Songs of Justice: Magnificant
- Thanksgiving invitation and Children's sermon
- Children's Sermon for Food Week of Action
- A Cycling Meditation
- Bryce Bikes: update!!
Categories
- Discipleship (23)
- Witness (19)
- Stewardship (17)
- Mission (15)
- Justice (14)
- View all categories →
Archives
Creation Groans, "No more plastic bags, please!"
A couple of days ago I received an interesting and rather shocking link to a presentation that covers some of the devastating effects that plastic bags are having on our world. After looking over the presentation, I was reminded of Romans 8: 19-21, "For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God." (NRSV)
This passage and presentation made me think about the number of plastic bags that I use or end up with on a regular basis and how quickly I can make a difference in the world by ceasing to use bags altogether. A few years back, I stopped using plastic grocery bags. I opted for cloth bags that I could use again and again. These bags continue to work well, but I now find I still have plastic bags accumulating in my home. Sometimes new plastic bags seem to blossom like forest mushrooms, seemingly out of nowhere. I suppose they came from grocery store produce, friends coming over for dinner and bringing items for the meal, and a variety of other places I simply don't think enough about. I know the bags still accumulate and I am certain that I can stop their accumulation by putting forth stronger efforts and consuming more reflectively.
In the past I have used the bags for cleaning up after my dog as we would walk through the park, and I recycled the bags I didn't need. However, recently I discovered that there are better options for picking up after my dog: biodegradable and, better yet, compostable bags. All of these items have come from people trying to find creative ways around the problem of plastic bags in the world.
I also recently discovered that there is at least one massive floating plastic landfill in the ocean. This Texas-sized trash heap struck me as a visible embodiment of the bondage the creation is being subjected to for many creatures are dying as a result. As the fish and ocean creatures consume bits of trash, they are becoming toxic to consume and human populations are affected as well. I know that I can help to make a difference in this by continuing to avoid plastic bags.
Together all of us can work to ease the suffering of creation and stand as witnesses of God's glory in the world by making responsible choices that help to liberate the creation from bondage. These choices can include not using plastic bags, avoiding disposable materials as much as possible, and helping out wherever we perceive need. Yes, all this garbage is disgusting and causing suffering, but we can work to prevent it, clean it up, and ease the burden on the creation by working with God. We do not have to live in such a polluted world. God calls us to embody a greater vision.
God's Word is filled with visions of a greater world where life abounds. God chooses to work through people and we are called to be Christ's evangelists in the world. Each one of us has the power to make a difference by minimizing our trash output and advocating for recycling and environmental restoration programs as an embodiment of our faith in this world. Together we can celebrate and share in God's vision by working for justice as stewards of creation.
- Posted at 10:52 p.m.
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