Planet Earth II : God's handiwork in our handsDanny Adams - 6 Dec 2016

"God wove us into the tapestry of creation - we must not make the mistake of thinking we are only spectators"

Planet Earth II recently hit our TV screens and has instantly become a hit, not just on the screen but on social media too, bringing back the stunning visuals of our planet as we see the world in shiny, intricate detail.

Planet Earth II won’t be the first time you’ve seen the world up close -  we all live in it, every day. Maybe you’ve had the joy of seeing a red squirrel scuttling up a tree, stargazed on a clear and beautiful night, or stood on a beach watching the sun set. Wherever it is, I’m sure at some point you’ve found yourself saying a quiet Amen to Genesis 1:31:

“God saw all that he had made, and it was very good." 

What’s obvious as we watch creation unfurl in front of us is that God is the greatest artist of all time. Every day, across the world, the sun sets slowly, stirring our hearts; reminding us that the earth is the ultimate artwork, pointing to the ultimate artist. 

“The Heavens Declare the Glory of God, the skies proclaim the work of his hands”

- Psalm 19:1

Sadly, though, it’s not all ‘lofty mountain grandeur and birds singing in the trees’ in Planet Earth II. Ten years after series one, this series, instead, points to the increased fragility of our planet. From Christmas Island to Northern America, David Attenborough narrates stories of shrinking mountain tops and out-of-sync seasons, all the doing of the changing temperature of our planet. 

God wove us into the tapestry of creation - we must not make the mistake of thinking we are only spectators. We are part of his artwork and have a God-given obligation to care for this planet.

It’s not enough for us, as God’s children, to simply admire creation through our television screens. It’s also our responsibility to pay attention to the world around us and to take actions that will help God’s creation to thrive, not die. 

We start where everything should: in prayer. Asking God to re-awaken in our hearts that ancient command: 

 “Be responsible for the fish in the sea, and the birds in the air and the cattle

and yes, the Earth Itself.”

- Genesis 1:26-28 (The Message) 

We start on our knees, asking for God’s heart to care for our world.

Practically speaking, we can start simply. Pinterest is full of creative and fun planet-saving ideas. It doesn’t have to mean giving up the things you love; it can be as challenging as giving up meat once a week, or as simple as buying some energy-saving light bulbs. Start with one thing, and see how it impacts you. 

Alone, our actions won’t change the world - but by aligning our hearts with God’s, we catch a glimpse of his artistry and care for our earth. 

Planet Earth II gives us a beautiful picture of what God created for us, as well as a stark reminder of what we're called to do for it.