Kia ora, Roommates!

Living “green” has certain connotations. For some, those connotations are positive, for others, not so much…from the ethically responsible consumer to the weed-smoking hippie (gasp!), the opinions are diverse and varied.

Perhaps some of the stigma that “green” living evokes, is due to its association with a particular political leaning i.e. the far left.

But I want to suggest that “green” living need not be associated with a particular political party or position. In fact, I believe we need to do away with the term “green” altogether, and instead start talking about “Christian” living.

No, I’m not suggesting that those who aren’t living “green” lives are being “bad” Christians (whatever that means…). But I am suggesting being “green” and being “Christian” are not diametrically opposed — they actually share lots in common.

Take Mike Wazowski for example. Mike is green. That’s who he is…it’s not all he is, but neither can he not be green. I like to think being a Christian is a bit like being Mike, the green-eyed monster (no, not the other green-eyed monster that is Jeaslousy!). It’s not all we are, but neither can we try to be someone else.

Here’s a few reasons why I think being “green” is in our Christ-shaped D.N.A.:

1. Christ is reconciling all things (Col 1:15-20): The letter to Colossians paints a pretty picture of a cosmic Christ (‘scuse the alliteration): all things have been created through him and for him; Christ is before all things and in him everything holds together; and through him God is reconciling all things, whether on earth or in heaven. How often do we reduce Christ to our personal Saviour? That is true, but Christ is also much more than that. This created world exists for Christ, is created through Christ, is being reconciled by Christ, who comes before all things and is the true Lord of creation…simply put, Christ is the ultimate “greenie”.
2. We are created in Christ’s image (Gen 1:26): A direct result of our God-imaged-ness, is that humanity has “dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth” (including Thom Yorke!). Ok, so the world is my oyster right?! …WRONG! The world is not an oyster. There’s nothing fishy about it. To “dominate” means “to lord over”. But scripture presents us with a very particularly picture of what it means “to lord over”…just look at Jesus Christ, our true Lord. He doesn’t dominate, and impose, and force, and destroy. Christ “lords over” by going to the cross! …an interesting picture of lordship. What does that mean for how we treat our earth and live our lives?
3. Christ loves the marginalised and disenfranchised (Luke 7:22-23): Ok, so I could’ve chosen just about any gospel passage. The gospels are pretty unanimous: Jesus came to subvert the traditional power structures of the world — to empower the marginalised, disenfranchised, sick, hungry, demon-possessed, poor. You get the point.
   Let’s not pretend climate change isn’t a major, MAJOR, social justice issue. It is. Just this week I heard from Rev. Tafue Lusama, a Tuvaluan Presbyterian minister, who is literally watching his country be drowned by rising sea levels. The effects of climate change are causing suffering and death now. This isn’t a future problem. New Zealand will be one of the least effected countries, but we are more than contributing to the negative effects on other countries. Whoar! I’m riled up now…shhhhhh, happy thoughts.
4. As Christians we are to drink Christ’s cup of sacrifice (Matt 20:22-23): Like for James and John, the way of Christ, is the way of the cross. Yes, it is the way of liberation and new life, but it is also the way of sacrifice and, ultimately, death. We must deny ourselves in order that Christ’s Spirit might live in us. This doesn’t mean living as hippies in self-imposed poverty. But it does mean living in solidarity with the poor (in giving to the least in our world, we are serving Christ — Matt 25:40), making space for them around Christ’s table, sacrificing of our own comfort that they might be able to live.

So there’s my plug for “green” living.

If you’re interested in finding out practical tips, a few of us are heading along this Saturday to the “Go Green Expo” in Wigram. Details here.

Also, I’d love the opportunity to talk further if you have any questions. Contact me on the Living Room facebook page.

Happy “green” living everyone!

Shalom