“For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now.” (Romans 8:20-22, ESV)

“God actually cares about the earth, but we just seem to think it’s going to burn.
God actually cares about creating good art, but we seem to think it’s reserved for salvation messages.
God actually cares about mundane jobs, when we seem to think only “Christian ministry” will make him happy.”

“Our lives on earth aren’t just placeholders until we go to heaven. We are to create, cultivate, and redeem while we’re here.”

“The fact that we can create is a sign we were created in [God’s] image. No other creatures have this ability to create.”

“Too often, instead of acting like mirrors pointing back to Jesus, we try to act like billboards, advertising ourselves.”

“Trying to get glory for things we have done is like the moon shouting, “Look how awesome I am,” when the only reason the moon is shining in the first place is because of this sun. The brightness of the moon is borrowed brightness.”

-Jefferson Bethke, Jesus > Religion (Thomas Nelson, 2013), 156-158
http://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Religion-Better-Trying-Harder/dp/1400205395