“Cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you.” (Genesis 3:17-18)
Adam and Eve had everything they needed, yet they wanted more. When the serpent suggested to them that they could become equal to God, they could not resist this temptation. They followed Satan’s advice, disobeyed God… and found out they had been deceived. Their precious relationship with their Creator was damaged, they were driven out of the Garden of Eden and the earth was cursed because of their sin. Adam and Eve still had the responsibility to have dominion over the earth and the animals (this command is repeated in Genesis 9:1-3), but now this was hard work instead of a joyful task. They had failed to be good stewards, and the consequences were awful.
Creation was subjected to futility and corruption. We see this all around us: the earth suffers from hurricanes, landslides and droughts. Animals kill other species. The earth brings forth thorns and thistles. Children starve. The earth is no longer a good place. These problems are not “natural”. Nor are they (primarily) due to carbon emissions or overpopulation. They are a result of human sin. We all are responsible, since we have all inherited Adam and Eve’s sinful nature — and are making things worse every day.
Do you feel responsible for the suffering of the world?