Every being on Earth has a purpose.

From the algae to the lion, the hamster to the eagle, the koala to the eucalyptus, every animal, plant, and fungus plays an essential role in nourishing and keeping alive our world of life. Energy from the sun moves up the chain—pollinated, procreated, taken by force and eaten—until at last the apex predators fall dead and are consumed by the earthworms, flies, and mycelium. Every animal contributes. Every animal gives back.

This is the process that has gone on for an eternity before the human arrived with his spear and strange clothes—but what, the child asks, is the human’s purpose? Why, during the creation of the world, did Man see all the animals of the Earth assembled on a plain before him, and what did God say to him?

It is said that God assigned Man with the care of nature. Only Man, with his tools and speech—the twin sources of his genius—could escape the vicissitudes of nature, could find respite from the churn of blood and milk, and with his position he could better protect nature, nourish it, and comprehend its majesty. For nature is God’s creation, the living manifestation of His glory here on the planet Earth.

In this light, every act of love towards a living thing—from parent to child, man to wife, human to animal—is an act of worship. To love someone else is to see the universe through God’s eyes. To create, to nourish and raise another being, is to perform the will of God.

The eagle flies, the dolphin swims, the chicken runs, and the earthworm darkens the soil. Man, at his highest, respects the eagle, befriends the dolphin, raises the chicken, and gardens with the earthworm. Stewardship was the first duty of Man; creation is the second; ascension is the third. In our lifetimes we have failed these tasks, but in love lies the possibility of all three.

In a time where many have grown to detest life, it is good to remember our mission. We are temporary gardeners tending to life, loving God and all His creations, before returning to the soil ourselves.

May we heal the Earth and show love to all living things. And thus serve as the Hands of God amongst Nature.

Editor’s Note: The word “Man” is used in this piece to refer to a human being of any gender, in accordance with its traditional meaning.