My Mission Monday

Green Gals

by Lindsey Little

What was once a colorful adjective, the word green now refers mostly to a specific lifestyle. Sure it’s been overused and abused like anything else in pop culture, but there is a very significant connection I believe between being “green” and the Christian walk.

Any believer who has read the Word and has a relationship with God knows we are to be good managers of what we are given. I truly think this includes our bodies, the earth, our relationships, our homes . . . and everything else He’s allowed us to have in our possession. Let’s explore what this looks like through a few girls’ lives, their convictions, and how they’ve chosen to live out a more economically efficient and simplified lifestyle for the Lord.

As long as I’ve known Cara she’s been one to truly pour into the people around her, deeply care for what she’s been given, and give her all in any and every situation. It is very evident in her daily life as she devotes her heart to her community, her husband, and her disabled students. Through these relationships, Cara says she’s discovered her significance in God by simplifying and slowing down. Because of this, she’s able to encounter God in new and creative ways.

Cara and her husband have adopted 1 Timothy 6:17 to live by: “Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.”

Instead of filling a house with nice “stuff,” they’ve chosen to fill a home with an eclectic collection of hand-me-downs, flea-market finds, thrift-store treasures, and borrowed furniture.

“Our hope is that our home will be a place you’ll want to stay, not because of the fancy furniture or big screen TV, but because it’s a place where God abides.” This life of simplicity they live also provides more freedom. If God called them to pick up and move, they could be ready in an instant, because there is nothing they couldn’t just leave behind.

In addition to this, they also buy organic and local foods, carpool, recycle, and avoid stores that have unethical practices. They view this as a way in which they can love and respect God’s creation in a more honorable manner, and make the world a better place for future generations.

                                                                       

Jaclyn, on the other hand, has chosen to live a similar lifestyle but in an urban community house with five other women. They are committed to a life dedicated to Jesus and follow Him by pursuing His love as well as loving their neighbors. Their “green” way of life doesn’t leave much room for “serving self” which in turn makes more room for serving God and loving people.

Some ways in which they represent this love are through sharing everything they own with each other, recycling, buying locally and/or secondhand, and avoiding wastefulness. Like Cara, they choose not to support corporate businesses that use slave or child laborers. Jaclyn does say that this type of lifestyle does require more thought, planning, and discipline—but since the beginning of the simplifying process, she’s felt a huge weight lifted off of her shoulders and a newfound freedom.

“I believe this way of life does make an impact on the world around us and helps to spread awareness of cultural norms that can be harmful to our world and fellow humans. Above all, I hope to live a life that is focused on my Savior. It may seem like a daunting task to completely change your daily routine, or to get rid of your beloved belongings in order to simplify, but believe me, it’s worth it! And as a result, you will have so much more space in your life for relationship!” says Jaclyn.

 

So maybe to be “green” is to find freedom through simplicity, to lose stuff and gain relationships, to slow down and truly enjoy God’s creation for what it is, and respect everything He’s given us to manage.

Or perhaps you have your own version? Whatever the case may be . . . my prayer is that you find significance in the Lord alone and find a freedom within that relationship that only He can give.

With a lifelong desire to live to the absolute fullest, Lindsey Little hopes to encourage, inspire, and motivate others along the way to do the same! She loves to see people who know the Lord live in complete abandonment, to take risks, and to be Jesus to all people by being the hands and feet of God. Nature is her absolute favorite place to be with future aspirations of living in a tree house . . . and any spare time is spent traveling the world, taking photos, listening, writing and telling stories, making things with her hands, laughing, being loved by the Father, and loving others with that same extravagant love!

Mission for the week:

How can I take better care of the world around me?  Teach your children about loving their little piece of the earth...beautify your yard and home to your best ability.  Plant a garden, grow flowers, and help neighbors who may not be able to rake their own leaves.  There are great parables that can be shared while digging in the soil!  Happy planting!