Project:INFLUENCE Good Seed Sunday 2026 Devotional

Participating in God’s Redepmtive Story:

Creation Care as Spiritual Formation

A five minute devotional on our place within creation as part of God’s redemptive story.

Megan’s Reflection Since I could walk, I’ve been drawn to even the tiniest details in nature: pausing to watch insects, listen to birds, and pick up leaves. As I continue to grow in my faith, I’ve begun to ask: What does it mean to view creation as integral to our understanding of God rather than separate from church-life or as a backdrop to our relationship with Him?

We often think of and go about our faith as something expressed through prayer, worship, serving, or Scripture study. But what if the way we live with the physical world—how we treat the land, water, and creatures around us—is also part of our spiritual life?

What if caring for the Earth is not just an “extra” part of faith, but something woven into it?

The world does not belong to us; it belongs to God. The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters. (Psalm 24) How can we claim to know God if we miss out on His work? Scripture continuously points to creation as something that reveals God’s nature: For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

(Romans 1:20)

Creation is an active part of God’s Redemptive story.

For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. (Romans 8:19-23) Creation is not just a static backdrop to everything else in the world. In fact, it is a key part of His story— waiting, longing for, and participating in Christ’s ultimate redemption of the world.

Creation is not just a stage.

It is easy to think of the natural world as merely a place created for human life—a setting for the “actual” story between God and us to take place.

However, the biblical story points to something much bigger: creation is not just for us humans. It is something God loves, sustains, and remains in deep care for.

Every ecosystem, creature, and intricate process in the natural world reflects a part of who God is. If we ignore creation, we miss parts of how God reveals Himself to us.

Think about it this way: You deeply admire a visual artist such as Van Gogh or Georgia O’Keefe. You would want to study their work, learn their style, and love what they create. Surely you wouldn’t go and slash all of their paintings instead?

In the same way, how we treat creation reflects how to respond to its Creator. To love God is, in part, to love what He has made. And to care for it well as He has commanded us: God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”

(Genesis 1:28)

Often, we live as though we are separate from the natural world. Scripture tells a different story! We are not outside creation; we are within it and participants in a shared community of life.

At the same time, we hold a unique role. We have influence, agency, and the ability to shape the world around us in powerful ways. This can be destructive, but it also has the power to be redemptive.

Think of it this way: We are like the conductor of an orchestra. The conductor is not separate from the music, they are part of it. But they are entrusted with guiding it, building harmony, and helping the orchestra flourish. In doing so, they showcase the beauty of the music the composer made.

This is the kind of role God calls us to: not domination, not living separate from the world He made for us, but rather as participants who steward well.

So how does this all fit into our Spiritual development as followers of Jesus?

Following Jesus is not just about what we believe, but about our relationship with Him and becoming more like Him. Spiritual formation is part of every area of life including how we live within creation.

Creation care, then, is spiritual formation.

Creation care as spiritual formation invites us to: Value what God values Choose stewardship over consumption Relinquish control of our habits and lifestyle When we take creation care seriously, we may become more aware of how our habits—often unintentionally—harm the natural world. Rather than feel shame, we are invited to turn to Christ and live differently where we can. Of course, we alone cannot redeem the world. That is God’s ability, and His ability alone.

The good news is this: God’s work of redemption is not limited to humanity alone. Scripture points towards the reconciliation of all things: a restoration that includes the whole of creation.

To care for creation is to participate in God’s story of redemption.

As this devotion comes to a close, we invite you to reflect on some things: What do my daily choices reveal about how I value God’s creation?

Where might I be prioritizing convenience, comfort, or consumption over care?

What might God be inviting me to change or let go of?

How can I begin to live as someone who is part of creation —and a blessing to it?

Furthermore, rather than approaching creation care as a checklist, consider it as a spiritual practice: Attention: Spend intentional time noticing creation this week. Slow down, and let it draw your attention to God. Gratitude: Thank God for a specific part of creation— whether food, water, scenery, or creatures.

Stewardship: Choose one small, tangible change that reflects care, such as adjusting habits or using resources more thoughtfully.

Simplicity: Identify one convenience you could reduce—not out of guilt, but as an act of faithfulness.

We have the power to leave blessings behind us rather than carbon footprints!

Creation is not forgotten in God’s story.

In fact, it is the start of His story. And it is the end as He redeems this world and makes it, and us, anew.

And we are invited into that story. To care for creation is not just about protecting the environment, but it is about loving what God loves, aligning our lives with His purposes, and being shaped more fully into His likeness.

Thank you for taking the time to read and reflect. We hope this devotional leaves you with something to carry with you into your daily life.

Note: This devotional was inspired by Episode 48 of the Field Notes podcast by A Rocha about Jo Swinney’s book “The Whole Easter Story”