Sunshine

Yesterday we celebrated "Sonshine Sunday," appreciating the light that Jesus, the Son of God, brings into our lives. We wore bright colors, sang songs about light and had ice cream. Because as the winter drags on, the cold and lack of light can get our spirits down.We thought about the Maori proverb: "Turn your face toward the sun and the shadows fall behind you." The light of Jesus, the light of God is there, even when we cannot see it or feel it.
I'm not denying that shadows exist. We have reason for grave concern. One that came to my mind as I was thinking about the sun and its powers to warm, give light, but also to destroy, was climate change. We're witnessing extremes like we never have before: severe cold in some parts of the world while others are experiencing extreme drought or flooding. Thousands of people are losing their homes, their sources of income, their lives. The effects of climate change will lead to mass migration of people from parts of the world that are no longer habitable.
While I did not mention this during worship yesterday it has been on my mind and we can't afford to remain silent about it. This is a real threat to all life on this planet. If we keep living the way we have been it is certain that life on this planet will be very different 50 years from now.
I don't have a solution but I cannot pretend this problem isn't real.
When people come into my office they comment on how I am all bundled up wearing wrist warmers, a scarf, two sweaters. I refuse to turn the heat up because I don't want to add to the amount of harmful carbon dioxides we are emitting into our atmosphere. I avoid short trips in my car for the same reason. If I have somewhere to go I try to combine it with an errand I need to run. I take reusable cups and water bottles everywhere I go. I always get my drink without a straw and bring my own container for my leftovers. And I never accept a plastic bag when shopping. Sound inconvenient? Yes. Do other people sometimes look at me like I'm from outer space? Yes. But it's worth it to me. Recycling is no longer enough. The amounts of energy needed to recycle plastic add to our carbon dioxide emissions and the warming of the planet (not to mention the large amounts of plastic that are non-recyclable and end up in the ocean, destroying sea life).
These are all just small things but they remind me every day that I don't want to pollute this planet. I don't want to leave behind a mountain of trash and death and destruction for those who come after me.
What will you do?
The Son, Jesus, said, "I am the light of the world" (John 8:12). What that means to me is he gives hope and he wants life. He also said, "You are the light of the world" (Matthew 5:14). The world needs you, the world needs us. Life is so fragile. Life is a gift from God. Someone's got to protect it. What will you do?