An Old Shirt and Climate Change

We joke about it. It is threadbare, has a few holes, a missing button or two and is faded badly. I still have a shirt from before Betsy and I were married. It has been a work shirt for a long time now but it is still hanging in the closet. But I’m not worried! I know that when I just can’t wear it anymore I will have another shirt that will serve the purpose even better.
Climate change is in the news every day, like record temperatures, record rainfall, and 2 mile wide tornadoes. Last week I saw a photo of a lifeguard on watch as the temperature in Anchorage, Alaska reached into the 80’s and on Tuesday in Talkeetna, Alaska a state record of 96 was recorded! Two weeks ago it was 15 degrees!
What’s going on here? While scientists, politicians, pundits, theologians and the ‘man on the street’ have varied opinions about all this, one thing is certain: SOMETHING is going on!
“Earth and sky will wear out, but not You; they become threadbare like an old coat; You’ll fold them up like a worn-out cloak, and lay them away on the shelf. But You’ll stay the same, year after year; You’ll never fade, You’ll never wear out.” (Hebrews 1:11)
There is no shortage of anxiety around the world from floods in India to floods in Chapel Hill! Our Bible tells us that even Mother Earth itself is wearing out. Perhaps it is the inevitable wearing out and eventual passing away of our home planet which we more evidence of with each passing day.
As I said, I’m not worried about my old shirt. In fact I have another right beside it, ready to take its place on the day it splits down the middle. Likewise, our God tells us that He has prepared another world to replace this one. “I’m on my way to get a room ready for you. And if I’m on my way to get your room ready, I’ll come back and get you so you can live where I live.” (John 14:4) We can have peace as we observe our changing world if we will remember another one is hanging right beside it ready to go…”