Written by: Clara Chiu (Head of Partnership Development)
Before joining CEDAR, I knew little about issues such as caring for creation and climate justice; I only knew some environmental protection concepts. However, this was easier said than done, and my lifestyle was not environmentally friendly.
Thankfully, I have learned more about the above issues since serving in CEDAR. My colleagues have become my role models and have gradually changed my lifestyle, such as buying fewer plastic drink bottles and sorting waste at home for recycling. Sometimes, temptations still exist – getting my favourite bottle of oolong tea when purchasing two omusubi at an omusubi shop. It was hard for me to say no to my favourite drinks for free, which was very often followed by a feeling of shame.
Recently, before I went to the shop to buy omusubi, I had already decided not to take free oolong tea. At the checkout, the staff dutifully reminded me that there was a free drink, and I said it was unnecessary. However, the staff raised her voice and said in surprise, ‘Why not even for free?’ ‘It was not necessary,’ I repeated. I felt a bit upset when I left the shop, not because of giving up the free drink, but because the staff’s reaction suggested that I was too stupid. Being considered stupid is more uncomfortable than not having a freebie!
However, to uphold the correct belief, it is inevitable to pay a price. To love the world and humanity that the Lord has created, many believers spend their time, energy, and money and even give up a comfortable and relaxing lifestyle. Some are even standing up to big business to defend climate justice. People in the world may think that it is not very smart to spend money on the cost of preserving nature, which affects production and the economy. A significant country has even withdrawn from the Paris Agreement, arguing that such an international agreement restricts economic development and that only by removing its constraints can the economy grow and the people benefit. What kind of value do we identify with more in our hearts as believers?
In the Christian tradition, Lent is a time of self-discipline and spiritual training. This year’s Lent period began on 5 March, and CEDAR launched the Lenten Calendar for ‘Creation and Neighbour Care’. As of today, we are almost halfway through the practice, and I wonder how your progress is. I hope you will persevere and complete the practice. Paying a price to keep the correct value is inevitable, and practice is helpful. If you haven’t downloaded the calendar, you can join the practice by downloading it now.
When I was a new believer over twenty years ago, my non-Christian father said to me, ‘You, the churchgoers, should call and complain about the variety shows on the TV. The artists often throw cakes, which is extremely unfriendly to the environment.’ I replied, ‘The church is not for environmental protection.’
My father understood better than I did back then that the church had a mission of ‘Creation Care’. Today, I would like to take this opportunity to say to my heavenly and biological fathers, ‘I’m sorry, I was wrong.’