One of the results of the concern over the emission of greenhouse gases and the impact on the environment is a measurement of carbon dioxide (CO2) called the carbon footprint. This is the measurement of the amount of carbon dioxide released into the environment by the daily activities of individuals, institutions, and businesses. Nature.org provides a carbon footprint calculator for you to measure your footprint and that of your household. The following introduction is given at the website.
Inevitably, in going about our daily lives – commuting, sheltering our families, eating – each of us contributes to the greenhouse gas emissions that are causing climate change. Yet, there are many things each of us, as individuals, can do to reduce our carbon emissions. The choices we make in our homes, our travel, the food we eat and what we buy and throw away all influence our carbon footprint and can help ensure a stable climate for future generations.
Humankind has always had an impact, both constructive and destructive, on the creation that God has entrusted to us. My purpose in this little article is not to discuss the issue of global warming. Rather, when recently reflecting on the kingdom of God, I thought, here is an illustration of what I will call the kingdom footprint.
The kingdom footprint, as I define it, is the amount of the likeness of God, in righteousness, in holiness, in peace and in love that we have released into the environment around us as we go about our daily activities. To borrow the quote above from Nature.org:
Inevitably, in going about our daily lives – commuting, the activities of the workplace, interactions in and maintenance of our marriages and families, working out at the gym, putting on the greens, eating in restaurants, reacting to the person who accidentally rammed our car, supporting and cheering on our favorite sports teams on whatever level of play, in the classroom, shopping, treatment of those who serve us at stores, restaurants, hospitals and the list can go on and on of the activities and circumstances of our varied daily lives – inevitably, each of us leaves a kingdom footprint. The choices we make in our daily lives, in each circumstance, in each interaction with others, all influence our kingdom footprint and can help influence the world around us with the righteousness, peace and joy of the kingdom of God.
May we have the faith, the strength, the courage, the hope and the love for the light of God’s kingdom to shine through our lives. May the kingdom footprint we leave on the community in which we live be large with the righteousness, peace and joy.
The kingdom of God is a matter “of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17). “You are the salt of the earth… You are the light of the world… let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Jesus in Matthew 5:13-16).
