The other day I ran across a troubling report about people who think it
is acceptable to use the ocean as a giant garbage dump. Here is an excerpt: “If
you should see this amazing floating pile of plastic in the Pacific Ocean, it’s
called ‘The Great Pacific Garbage Patch.’ It features three million tons of
plastic debris floating in an area larger than Texas. An eye-popping 46,000
pieces of plastic float on every square mile of ocean!” Other sources estimate
the amount of garbage is even bigger. Plastic is especially bad because it does
not dissolve.
During our sojourn on earth, we have been charged, like Adam, with
taking care of the earth and its creatures that God has given us. Genesis 2:15
says, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and
keep it.” God delights in what He has made and this extends to the sea and all
that live in it (1:10,20-21).
This world should remind us of the greatness of our Creator and serve as
a springboard of praise to Him. Indifferently using it as a garbage dump mars
its beauty and threatens the creatures that live here. Showing respect and
caring for the land, the ocean, and the air is our duty as believers in Christ.