Village Green Corner
Giving up for God and the Earth
by Ruth Jarman
“…be content with what you have…” Hebrews 13:5
Have you given up anything for Lent this year?
Doing without something for a reason other than financial goes against the grain in our modern, comfortable times of plenty. Why should we limit our desire for a bigger car, more and better possessions, more and further-flung holidays? Our belt buckles inform us that there are repercussions in eating more than we need, but the repercussions in buying and driving and flying and using energy in our homes without limit will be seen by God and by our children, but not immediately by us.
God created one inhabitable world for us and we are currently living in a way that requires three worlds to absorb all the carbon dioxide that we are dumping into the atmosphere. And if everyone lived as we do (and why shouldn't they?) we would need 3.5 worlds.
Did God do his sums wrong, or are we living wrong?
This Lent why not give up something that impacts the world outside your waistline?
• give up the car, at least for some journeys (this will help your waistline!)
• decide to give up flying this year
• give up buying food from outside the UK or northern Europe – food miles are a big contribution to climate change (Fairtrade chocolate has special dispensation!)
Ruth Jarman
