Just Living

Living; we’re doing it right now. All around the world people are living, and guess what? The way we live affects the world. It’s easy to feel lost in a world of 7.4 billion people, to feel that our lives are small, and that the choices we make affect no one but ourselves and the comparatively small group of people that surround us in our lives. But living is a big thing, and the decisions that we make impact God’s creation.

‘Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” Genesis 1: 26’

God has given us a great gift of caring for creation, it’s a blessing that seems pretty daunting right now as we look around and see the ever increasing issues of pollution, climate change and what seems to be the continuous destruction of this beautiful planet. So how do we take the priceless gifts that God has given us and pour them out as a sacrifice to Him, the world and our fellow citizens? This can and will look like many different things in your life, we will feel called to pursue social justice in very different ways and God will use each of us uniquely.

‘…a way of living that involves one’s daily activities, values and goals for life, and the use of all possessions. It begins with God and His plans for creation and purposes for humankind. The steward is God’s responsible representative and manager of all creation.’~ Disciple’s Study Bible.

This can all sound overwhelming, radical and life changing…and in the long run it will be life changing; a change in attitude, in thoughts, in words and in actions. But for now, I want to challenge you in one aspect one your life. Okay, so it is a pretty major aspect, and certainly one that society evolves around but it is also an aspect in which just the smallest change can make a difference and have a ‘chain reaction’.

What am I talking about? MONEY.

‘Every time you spend money, you’re casting a vote for the kind of world you want’. Anna Lappé

Sometimes actions speak louder than words, and for money that is often the case. On what and in which shops we spend our money can inadvertently be defining what our moral and ethical beliefs are. Financially supporting a company by buying their products could actually mean that you are backing things such as work exploitation, certain political views, and contributions to global warming, the destruction of habitats or displacement of homes. Whilst this paints a pretty bleak picture, the point I’m trying to make is that where we choose to spend our money is more than just the product we buy. We’re making a public choice in the companies we support and the policies that they implement, and it reflects on our beliefs. We are called to bring light into the darkness of the world, as Jesus brings light into our own hearts. ‘In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.’ ~ John 1: 4-5. So are you shining a light in the world and honouring God in the distribution of your money?

This is something I have been really challenged by in my life over the last year, I’ve found that it’s something I’m so passionate about and yet, as money and spending it is such a big part of our lives, I am overwhelmed by even taking the first step. It’s frustrating to read news articles on the impact that microbeads have on God’s oceans and the creatures he created, it’s frustrating because there are alternative products available, it’s frustrating because even after we’re educated on their impact it is hard to change our ways and switch to a new facewash, for example, and maybe that’s because we don’t think that us, as individuals, have an individual impact. But we do and it’s time to really think about what our impact looks like. As Christmas approaches and we prepare to search shops for the perfect gifts, I challenge you to think about whether you are honouring God, who made himself poor, when we buy these gifts from companies that could be using sweatshops or child labour. Thinking is just the first step; I want to put those thoughts into actions but how?

Below is a short guide of shops that will hopefully help you to make a change in your life; to care for our planet and seek to be a light in our world.

Bathroom:

LUSH ~ ingredients are ethically sourced, products are handmade and they are actively against animal testing

TOTM ~ Time of the Month: tampons made from natural, certified cotton that are 100% biodegradable

PHB Ethical Beauty ~ skin care, hair care and cosmetics that are 100% vegan and made from natural, organic materials.

Food:

This is a little trickier but even small steps make a difference.

Ethical chocolate brands:

Divine

Green and Black’s

The co-operative

Sainsbury’s

M&S

This website gives ethical rating for food brands, products and supermarkets:

http://www.ethicalconsumer.org/buyersguides/food/supermarkets.aspx

None of the score particularly high, if it’s possible it’s always good to support local and independent grocery stores.

Clothing & Houseware:

Charity shops! Ethical and affordable these are something we should support more.

People tree ~ fair trade and environmentally friendly

Check out this website for the ethical rating of high street stores: http://www.thegoodshoppingguide.com/high-street-fashion/

Hopefully this will help you take the first step in thinking about where you spend your money and what the implications are. If you want to more extensive list for where to buy you’re Christmas gifts or alternative ideas for Christmas presents, check out the Just Love, Oxford guide to Christmas shopping: http://justloveoxford.tumblr.com/ as well.