April 22 is celebrated as Earth Day. People celebrate this day as a day to remember the Earth, a day to consider the ways to keep the earth healthy and protect it from pollution in all its forms. The ocean is filled with garbage and filth, killing off species of ocean animals. The skies are filled with pollutants, making it hard to breathe, and destroying plant and animal life. Because of the numbers of people in cities, there is a light pollution that prevents us from seeing the stars and the wonders of the heavens. All of this is caused by humans.

Some claim the melting of the ice caps and warming of the earth is also human caused. Perhaps, though ice melting and refreezing has been one of the natural cycles of the earth. Add to that the, also natural, recent increase in volcanic activity.

I think the Earth cries at its pollutants, all of these I’ve mentioned, and others. Consider the pollutants of evil pervading the earth. Violence, wars, abortions, selfishness, pornography, and calling good evil and evil good.

We need to be more careful of the ways we manage our resources, throw away less, work to keep the pollutants out of the earth, water, and air. Each of us, in our own understanding of God, need to return to Him, become obedient to His laws, and work to live better lives.

We cannot force others to live by our standards, but we can live the best lives we know how. Perhaps living well will encourage others to follow our examples. I think of the lives Eve and Adam lived, trying always to be obedient to the laws of Jehovah. They taught their children, and worked to help them understand. The battle for righteousness over evil continues. Until it is won, we must choose, in every way we can, to cleanse the earth of the pollutants of mind and soul, as well as the filth that destroys the physical earth.

What can you do to cleanse the earth of its pollutions? How can you be a better example for others, and encourage clean living?