Over the next few weeks, BidForGreen is proud to bring you a new series of blogs entitled, "Unexplored Connections." This series will spotlight the nexus between religion and the environment. We have some exciting writers, some of them known to you, some new names. And if you feel like sending us something, please submit an inquiry online. We'd love to consider it! To start us off, we have our own CEO, Dale Wiley.

PERSPECTIVE

Unfortunately, many of those most widely known as "Christians" have come late to the cause of the environment; many still aren't there. But to me, the environment and other social causes are absolutely essential to my understanding of the Christian faith.

One thing changed drastically when I finally took up following Christ: My perspective. I had always been a Christian, but, looking back on it, I had a very distant and intellectual view of my religion; I believed it, but nothing really changed in the way I acted or led my life.

Finally, when I began to take the call seriously, I found that "I" mattered less, and God mattered more. Jesus, the son of God, had come to Earth and had used his time not to be exalted, but to serve in an ancient-times version of the Peace Corps. He told his followers that their charge was to serve those around them, that the greatest would make himself the servant of all.

It's a revolutionary decision to believe in a personal God interested in giving me the gift of Grace. I know I don't deserve it; I know I can't repay it. What I can do is act on it.

Served to Servant: There's the change, transforming from someone whose actions lead to negative consequences to one whose consequences lead to action, changing from one who sees the Earth as a private playground to one who sees it as God's holy Creation, to be cradled and cared for.

The environment, along with human trafficking, poverty and AIDS relief, seem to me to be the defining issues for a modern church, just as they are for a modern world. Many Christians are choosing to make a difference, and many more are choosing to stay on the sidelines. Our response will ultimately define us; I pray it's the right one.