Today, 27th October 2007, on the cover-page of the ‘World’ section of ‘The Straits Times’ in Singapore, the heading reads, ‘PLANET IN PERIL: Future of humanity itself now at risk, warns UN study.’
It goes on to elaborate, ‘Humans are devouring the earth’s resources at such a rapid rate that it puts “humanity at risk”, according to the fourth Global Environment Outlook report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The problems include: Stripping the seas, Stripping the land, Changing the climate.’
Yesterday morning, I went hiking from Venus Drive off Upper Thompson Road to the HSBC tree-top walk and back. The walk was through a section of the nature reserve near the Bukit Hallang, Mac Ritchie, Bukit Timah area. It took me pass flora and fauna, soil-paths, and flowing streams of water. I saw monkeys, lizards, birds, bugs, fishes and plants of many sorts whose names are alien to me.
Many a times, I was stopped in my track, in awe of a gigantic tree or lovely flower or amazing creature I saw. It was comfortably cooling and shady in the nature reserve. The flowing stream of water looked so inviting we took off our shoes and socks, rolled up our pants, and walked in it. The water was so clear we were convinced it could be drank. The soft, sinking mud under our feet, and the cool, tinkering water brushing through our legs was so comfortable. If not for the fear of water snakes, we would have walked in the water all the way out.
The air was so fresh it comforted our lungs. The sounds of birds chirping and insects or some hidden animal calling was so pleasant to the ear, it sounded like the best orchestra playing.
The walk left me refreshed, yearning for more. Though I felt tired and pretty hungry, I hoped to go back soon.
That was a description of what it feels like being in the natural environment God intended for us to live in. As for the environment we have made for ourselves, I believe I don’t need to describe that to you. If I were to choose, I’d choose the one God intended, not the man-made one.
Humans are foolish. We try to improve our environment by our ingenious inventions. Yes, there may be immediate effects that seems good on the surface, but these little improvements are proving to be harmful in large amounts, over long periods of time. We were so narrow-minded and near-sighted we could not see the long-term consequences of our actions. In wanting to improve our living conditions, we actually made it worst! How ironic.
Our want to improve our living conditions stem from a lack of trust in God’s creation. It also stems from greed to want more. These are sins, and that which stems from sin will eventually lead to destruction.
The world we live in is in critical condition at the moment. If we continue our consumption and wasteful abuse of the natural resources, we would soon have nothing natural left. At that time, do you really think man-made things can sustain us?
Look at what the Lord has provided for us. Hidden in His creation are the most nutritious food, the most comfortable environment, the best medicine… How much longer do we need to realize this eternal truth? Why are we still so rebellious and unwilling to return to our natural environments? Why do we still let greed and pride govern our lives?
I grieve at the state of our earth now. We all had a role to play in making it like this. And we are all responsible in returning it to its natural state. Pray.
This article is an alarm to us. A few days ago, in the Straits Times, Dr Ashok Khosla, the ex-director of the United Nations Environment Programme and former winner of the Sasakawa Environment Prize, has made a shrill comment that in the next decade or so, people will not be able to fly or even drive because of shrinking resources. Truth? I am very skeptical about that, as I’m lost in my aspiration to get a Susuki Swift in the next 5 years or so, however, most truths needed us to have faith to look beyond the conspicuous evidence or environment. Have we forgotten about the biblical story of the Noah’s Ark?
How many of us are lost in the immediate gratification of the material world that we have overlooked something far more important, the state of our soul? To reiterate the quote by a favourite missionary Jim Elliot who was martyred in Ecuador, ” He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36)