During our recent stay at a game reserve, we were immersed back into the bush, which allowed us to hone in on nature’s patterns. One facet highlighted by our guide was the territorial habits of different species. Casting our gaze at a lone male Bontebok, the guide remarked that the male ensures he chooses a territory with good grazing and water sources to attract the females in the area. Observing birds, we noticed the measures that the male Southern Fiscal takes to impress his counterpart. This includes skewering dead insects and lizards on branches to show that he is a successful hunter in a fertile territory. The animals had a sense of inherent duty and honour in protecting and maintaining the territories. This brought me back to Eden, “Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it.” (Genesis 2:15). Here, humanity was given the responsibility of tending and actively keeping the garden, our living world. This goes beyond physically tilling the ground but actively and dutifully serving, loving and honouring one another in our earthly territory, spreading the glory of God on earth as best we can. Open Bible – http://bit.ly/Gen2v15 (Jeremy G)
