When most people complete a project they stand back and look at it observing and judging their success. When the finished product is beautiful, complete or functional there is a great sense of well-deserved pride and satisfaction. The problem comes when our art is defaced, our cake is toppled, our CD is tossed in the trash, the mechanism gets bent, etc. Our pride and satisfaction turn to sorrow. The disappointment sets in, we realize that there were people who did not value our creation.

Genesis 1: ³¹  God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good.

Do you value creation? Do you see the beauty in all creation? We have the God-given position to manage the earth and all that is within it; are we doing a good, great, or poor job? How am I maintaining my body, what am I feeding it? Some good, some bad. How am I raising my children? With a lot of thought and prayer. How am I stewarding my property? Oooh, not too good. How am I treating other people? Good, sometimes, when I feel like it Am I recycling? Not enough. Am I picking up trash from time to time when I’m out and about? I could do better. Have I trained my children to take care of their toys? Not really. Do I read and value the Bible? Yes. Have I trained my children to value the bible? Yes, but I could do a much better job. Am I active in environmental issues? Not nearly enough. Am I being intentional with my money? Now I am after being unintentional for a season. I could go on and on; we are supposed to be salt and light.

Matt 5^{: 13} “You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.

¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; ¹⁵ nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. ¹⁶ Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Am I adding good flavor to the world? What am I doing in my community that makes God look good and desirable? I have plenty of room for improvement but I will start with more recycling and cutting weeds on my property.