Earth Day 2015: The global commemoration celebrates its 45th anniversary this year. It’s billed as the largest civic observance in the world. Healing the planet and its inhabitants is a gargantuan undertaking, one that requires insight and clear-sightedness.
“It’s our turn to lead” is this year’s Earth Day theme. It deserves our attention. Good leadership is an area where the world frequently stumbles. What constitutes a good leader is debatable, but one attribute is a must…wisdom.
President John F. Kennedy wrote, “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” It’s through learning that we gain wisdom. That’s also what King Solomon of Bible fame discovered. He was thrust into a leadership role after a rocky start when but a young man. At that moment, the first thing he does is ask the Lord for wisdom.
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The account emphasizes that Solomon could have asked for personal gain: long life, riches, even revenge. But it was an understanding heart that would profit him in his leadership role. Proof followed immediately and many were benefited throughout his reign by the wisdom he was given.
Wisdom and self-knowledge are formidable qualities when dealing with the mounting obstacles to the world’s population - serious issues like health, living conditions, and food and water resources.
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How do we attain such wisdom that the world may prosper? I ask God every day for the discernment required to bless humanity. Part of my prayer is a deep recognition of the humility needed to put down a self-centered and narrow-minded approach to daily living and to keep uppermost in thought the selfless motives and acts that benefit humanity through God’s goodness.
“The meek shall inherit the earth.”
In the effort to “replenish the earth,” we should remember that intelligence is one of the world’s most valuable resources, and because of its spiritual origin it is unlimited. Mary Baker Eddy asks a timely question. “When will mankind awake to know their present ownership of all good, and praise and love the spot where God dwells most conspicuously in His reflection of love and leadership?”
There is not a spot on earth where Love’s (God’s) wisdom can’t be expressed, and healthful results ensue. We can all lead the way.
Steven Salt is a writer and blogger covering health, spirituality and thought. He is a Christian Science practitioner, curious about everything. You can follow him on Twitter @SaltSeasoned.