By: Dare Euler, RNJCC Strategic Advisor
Genesis 1:26 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 every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
Dominion. Interesting word.
Dominion signifies sovereignty or supreme authority.
It can also mean the territory or lands under someone’s rule.
Synonyms include authority, command, control, jurisdiction, power, and sway
In my opinion, for too many years we have considered the verse in Genesis to mean humans have a God-ordained right to control, manipulate, and dominate the environment. If we do a deeper evaluation, I think a truer and more insightful interpretation is revealed.
Let’s think about the idea of domains. A domain is an area one has control or jurisdiction over. Mankind has assumed the earth is our domain. However, nowhere has God given up sovereignty over what He created. A landlord still holds the control of property when it is leased to a renter. Said renter is not able to do whatever he or she wants to do with that property. Every change, modification, even improvement must be vetted by the owner. God gave us dominion or rights, but we hold these under His overarching control He wields over creation. Our responsibility is to care for, protect, and nurture what area we have limited jurisdiction over, be it a yard, a community, a vast landholding, or a concern for the entire environment. Additionally, can we truly claim to own any land? Our death removes our claim as the land continues on. Any sense of ownership, in my opinion, is a mirage. Do we have temporary stewardship and care taking responsibility? Yes, and that should be our focus.
No matter the size, location, or ship, type of stewardship, where we dwell gives us an opportunity to improve our domain. Our loan of that domain may be lengthy or quite short, but our footprint can leave a mark of beauty and a legacy of improvement. Rather than subduing, we lean into liberating and unleashing. A small balcony lures butterflies and birds with flowering pots. A sidewalk strip becomes a native plant sanctuary. Acreage produces food while enriching the soil and preserving the land. If we can open our fists of greedy possession and let our grasp relax by remembering who has eternal dominion, we regain freedom to wisely enjoy where we reside. We rewild the land and ourselves.
Let’s get wild New Jersey!
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