While doing a walking safari through a game park I was struck by how everything is armed for defence or attack. Lions have teeth. Rhinos have horns. Kudus have antlers. Eagles have claws. Trees have thorns. It’s like everything is in conflict. And at a level this is true. The animals prey on each other and the plants. And so they all need ways to attack and defend themselves. It’s a world of claw and thorn, teeth and horns. The reality quickly strikes home when we see the skull of a wildebeest and the hoof of a baby zebra. The animal world is about survival of the fittest. The weak or injured die or are killed. But what about us as humans? Are we like the animals – determined to succeed even at the cost of others? A world of take and steal, lies and deceit. All too often humans behave like animals. But in the beginning God’s first instruction to humans was to rule over the animals (Genesis 1:28). It’s a call to subdue animal instincts and live a Godly life. Our calling is the divine way – “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you” (James 1:27). This is a world of love and kindness, mercy and grace to the most vulnerable. What’s life look like around where you walk? Open Bible – https://bit.ly/Jam1vs27, https://bit.ly/Gen1v28 (Craig B)
