NO BIBLE NO BREAKFAST DAILY BIBLE REFLECTIONS AND MORE

REFLECTION

“A green plant” is the theme for our reflection. God the creator of the universe created all living things and provided them with food and water that will nourish and sustain their growth and existence on earth. He made green plants uniquely for all living things. “And to every beast of the earth and to every bird of the heavens and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. (Genesis 1:30). Indeed, for everything that has the breath of life, God made green plants available for their consumption. This means that both animals (herbivores) and human beings are consumers of green plants. Examples of green plants that are most consumed are spinach, coco yam leaves (kontomire), lettuce, cabbage cassava leaves, Swiss Chard, (you may follow this link for more information on green plants:https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/leafy-green-vegetables). Green plants, especially green leafy vegetables are packed with vitamins, minerals and fibre but low in calories. Eating a diet rich in leafy greens can offer numerous health benefits including reduced risk of obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure and mental decline. Animals and other living organisms also derive nutritional value from green plants. Truly, green plants have medicinal value for all leaving things that depend on them for food.

We find green plants in mainly green vegetation but the question that calls for our attention and reflection is, are we mindful about the protection and sustenance of the environment or vegetation, or do we continue to destroy it indiscriminately through unsustainable and illegal mining, cutting down of trees and burning? The destruction of green vegetation has also made some animals go to extinction. This development has also added to the threat to food security in the food chain. Christians are not only stewards of the Gospel and wealth but we are also stewards of the environment. Without the environment and green vegetation, we shall struggle to live on earth. In photosynthesis, plants take in light from the sun and, through a complex series of steps, use this sunlight, carbon dioxide from the air, and water that they take in through their roots to produce sugars, which can be used by the plant and oxygen and is then sent into the air. Through photosynthesis, humans can again breathe in the oxygen that was produced and survive. Photosynthesis and respiration are the two essential processes that allow life to sustain on earth.( kindly follow this link for more information:https://www.pressconnects.com/story/news/local/2015/01/10/humans-trees-vital-relationship/21551347/) We must, therefore, protect the environment even as we depend on it for food, water and oxygen. Green plants or green vegetation must be protected and managed in a manner that will be of great value to all things that have breath. We are to preach and lawfully protest and fight against illegal mining (galamsey), and the overuse of harmful chemicals in farming which destroys some green plants of nutritional and medicinal value which otherwise makes them poisonous for human or animal consumption. We must have public engagement and conversations about the burning of vegetation and any other illegal activities that harm or destroy our green plantation or vegetation. Let us remember that “God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.” (Genesis 1:31), It is our responsibility to sustain, manage and wisely use the good things God has created for our use and this calls for good stewardship of the environment. Shalom.

PRAYER

Thank you God for the gift of green plants, grant us the wisdom to be good and passionate stewards of the environment. Amen.