Spiritual Ecological Conversion: A Call to Care for Creation

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What is Spiritual Ecological Conversion?

Let’s tackle a term you may or may not have heard before. It’s Spiritual Ecological Conversion. When you hear that, you might think of recycling or planting trees. But we’ll go a lot deeper than the surface-level stuff that we usually think about when we think about going green, highlighting how much deeper this concept goes. The word “conversion” itself can be a little bit misleading. It seems like something sudden happens, and boom, you’re converted.

The Gradual Journey of Conversion: Metanoia

In the Christian tradition, it’s more about a process, not a one-and-done thing. It’s a gradual transformation and ongoing process. For instance, I can say that climate change is a problem, but I still drive my gas-guzzling car. What we’re talking about is the need for a real change of heart. Not just a change of mind. And that’s the challenge of what we call metanoia.

From a spiritual standpoint, “metanoia” refers to a profound transformation of the heart and mind. The term originates from the Greek word “μετάνοια,” which means “change of mind” or “repentance.” In Christian theology, metanoia signifies a deep, heartfelt conversion and turning away from sin towards a life aligned with God’s will. It involves a radical reorientation of one’s values, beliefs, and behaviors, leading to spiritual renewal and growth. This transformative process is often accompanied by a sense of remorse for past wrongdoings and a commitment to living a more virtuous and faithful life. Metanoia is seen as an essential aspect of spiritual development and a key step in the journey toward salvation and a closer relationship with God.

The Connections Between Heart and Habitat

So, how does metanoia affect things like pollution or a species going extinct? It’s an important question because, without a genuine heart conversion, we can very easily get stuck in good intentions but not really make any real changes. Good intentions aren’t enough in the face of something as big as the ecological crisis. If our hearts are fixated on things like wealth, status, or comfort, our actions will follow that.

The Spiritual Crisis Behind Ecological Problems

Have you ever stopped to consider that the problems we see in the environment are reflections of our hearts? The world is facing an inner emptiness that’s driving us to consume more and more. Spiritually, it’s like the external deserts of the world are growing because the internal deserts have become so vast.

Christian Spirituality and the Promise of True Joy

The consumerist message tells us we’ll find happiness by accumulating more stuff. Christian spirituality offers a different perspective. Our source of joy and happiness isn’t found in chasing what culture says we should want. Our happiness comes from the peace God places within us as we seek to honor his creation.

Major Ecological Issues as a Call for Spiritual Action

The message that happiness comes from stuff has some pretty devastating consequences. Consider these major ecological problems facing us today: Accelerating climate change, biodiversity loss, plastic pollution, water scarcity, ocean acidification, melting ice caps, and air pollution.

A New Perspective: God’s Image in Nature

That brings us to the heart of our discussion, which is that the ecological crisis is, at its root, a spiritual crisis. We need a Spiritual Ecological Conversion. Until we experience an inner conversion in our priorities and desires, we’ll struggle to find lasting solutions to the problems we mentioned. A fundamental shift is needed to tackle these global issues.

We are not trying to shame anyone or make people feel bad. But we think it’s time we point out that there’s a connection between our inner world and the state of the planet. But how do we move from consumerism and short-term thinking to a more harmonious way of caring for and respecting God’s creation? Don’t worry—we’re not saying we must become monks, move into monasteries or give up our Netflix subscriptions.

Living Simply as Stewards of Creation

At its core, our conversion to spiritual ecology is about seeing God’s image in nature and his creatures. It’s about expanding our love for God to the physical universe, developing a new ethic of interconnectedness, responsibility, and reverence for the Earth, and letting our actions flow from that place of deep respect.

Our Spiritual Ecological Conversation is about creating a new narrative in which we examine our own motivations and deepest desires through self-reflection. We ask tough questions like, “What truly brings me joy?” “What kind of impact am I having on the world around me?” Once we have that awareness, we can start to make changes in our lives, however small.

As we start to see ourselves as part of this larger web of relationships, our actions naturally become more aligned with the well-being of the whole. We can begin by living more simply and seeing ourselves as stewards of the land. It’s about recognizing that our choices have ripple effects that impact the earth in ways we may not have considered before.

Conclusion: The Journey of Rediscovery and Transformation

Ecological conversion is not about becoming some kind of superhero who single-handedly saves the planet. It’s about recognizing that we’re all interconnected and that small everyday choices have ripple effects.

We don’t have to be perfect. This is a journey of self-discovery and realization, where we learn how to make better choices and achieve a more sustainable lifestyle. But most of all, it’s about changing our hearts and actions to rediscover who we are in God’s creation and how he intends us to fit into the world around us.  We hope you’ll take this journey. If you do, we think you’ll discover the huge potential for personal and spiritual transformation.

A version of this lesson was presented to the Dayspring Church in January 2025


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