This week I found myself reflecting on Psalm 8, which reminds us of an incredible truth: “You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet.” God has entrusted humanity with the sacred vocation of caring for his good creation, of being wise rulers. But let’s be honest – collectively, we’ve fallen far short of this calling. When I think about the state of the world, I sometimes wonder… how must God feel?

When I was in my 20’s my family lived in a rundown bungalow that we lovingly restored from the inside out. We created beautiful and productive gardens, we insulated the walls making it warmer and dryer and I spent over 240 hours stripping and repainting the weatherboards. When we eventually outgrew that home, we left knowing we had created a beautiful, life-giving environment for another family to enjoy.

A few years later, we drove past to see the house again and it was almost unrecognisable. The hedges were wild and unkempt, the garden overrun with weeds, and the house was weathered and in disrepair. It was deeply disappointing to see all that effort wasted, the beauty we had worked so hard to create had disappeared.

Reflecting on that moment, I can’t help but think of how God must feel about this beautiful earth God gave us to call home.

This week, I also find myself reflecting on the promises made at Waitangi 185 years ago. In so many ways the promises were broken and Māori were dispossessed of their land which led to the widespread degradation of the whenua. And so we groan and lament. This world was created to flourish and to nurture life – and yet so often, we have neglected our calling to be its caretakers.

That’s why the mission of A Rocha and Eco Church is so important. Together, we’re helping people reconnect with the biblical calling to join with God in being wise and loving stewards of his creation. This is not just about sustainability or conservation – it’s about living out the Gospel in a way that reflects God’s care for all that God has made.