Thomas Pere
15 November 2008
column
Kampala — THE state of the environment is a cause of anxiety. Most people are afraid of what the future holds, since bad experiences seem to be the order of the day. Storms, floods and fires are on the increase. Soil infertility, limited crop production and diseases seem to be here to stay.
It is for this reason that the world celebrates Environment Day every June 5, with a hope of averting these catastrophes. But the question is: Is God punishing us for misusing the environment? How can we manage the environment?
Fr. Lawrence Kanyike, the chaplain of St. Augustine Church, Makerere, says the world has advanced in technology. Instead of man controlling technology, technology is controlling him. The Bible says in Genesis that God first created the environment, then he created man and put him in charge.
"Nature is supposed to co-exist with man. Unfortun-ately the reverse is happening," says Kanyike.
Isaiah 24:1-6 says: "The Lord is going to devastate the earth and leave it dissolate. He will twist the earth's surface and scatter its people. Everyone will meet the same fate. The earth will lie shattered and ruined."
Rev. Diana Nkesiga, the Vicar of All Saints Cathedral, says: "The way our environment looks reflects our inner being. We are messy inside. It doesn't matter how much money or education you have, it will still reflect on the outside."
Jeremiah 4:26 says we defile our land because we fail to yield good fruit. Most people are selfish. They pollute the environment hoping that someone else will clean it up. Children see adults doing it. There is no role model to educate them on environmental conservation.
However, Andrew Otage, a pastor at Gospel Assembly Church, Entebbe, says we shouldn't lose hope or be anxious.
"God has assured us of his continued care as seen in Hebrews 13:5-6: "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'"
In Phillippians 4:6-7, St. Paul says: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
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