Finding God in a plastic bottle

When we think of God the Creator, we tend to think of Him as the Creator of the natural world. Yet, this way of thinking has its limits. For it tends to make us think that when we create something, it is from our doing and that God plays no role in it. To the contrary, God plays a crucial role in the creation of “man-made” objects, even plastic bottles. In Colossians 1:16 it says, “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.” It is evident from this passage that even though man has modified elements from the natural world to create artificial objects, it is God who allowed such things to exist.

The role that God plays in the creation of artificial objects, is creating the framework of an object that man will one day discover. His handiwork can be found in everything we have ever made, even a plastic bottle. Whilst God was creating the heavens and earth, He was designing how plastic, amongst other “man-made” objects, would one day be composed of: its molecule makeup, material composition, flexibility, durability, life cycle, and the many ways that man can use it. All man has ever done was stumbled upon the discovery of something that God had already thought of!

Because God has already thought of it before man, we could say that God has ultimate ownership, like a patent, over all things. Therefore, all things on the earth that you see, trees, books, furniture, cows, TV, light bulbs, cars, windows, roses, food, plastic, belong to Him. If all things belong to God, then nothing we have ever created belongs to us!

That is why we should take care of the things in our possessions and see to it that they are not easily tarnished, neglected, or easily disposable. We should think this way, because if we are not good stewards of the things that belong to God, negative consequences can occur. This is already occurring with the way we manage our waste. The accumulation of waste from plastic, food, aluminum, paper, electronic, yard waste, etc. are polluting the natural environment that God personally created. His creatures, which were created before man, are suffering from the digestion of plastic and garbage in our oceans, rivers, and land. Some of our communities can be seen flooded with the waste mismanaged by man, becoming an eyesore.

With that in mind, try to recycle as many items as you can. What you can’t recycle, try to use it in a different way. For instance, you can turn plastic bottles and containers into plant holders. Substitute single-use plastics with reusable ones or ones that can easily be composted. Lastly, I encourage you to create groups in your church communities to pick up trash found in our streets, lakes and beaches. All of these little things will not only reduce the burden of landfills and waste generation but will glorify God through the care of His creations – especially those that are “man-made.”

Ronald Kent is an avid blogger who can be followed at www.gardenofeden.org and reached at gardenofedenblog2020@gmail.com.

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