the groaning of God's creatures
As we mark the passion of our Savior this week, and the suffering He endured on our behalf as well as the rest of creation, it seems appropriate to pause for a few moments to reflect on the groaning of the creatures He suffers for and with:
We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. (Romans 8:22, NIV)
This week we'll be looking at some forms of animal suffering which might not receive as much attention as the issues of pet neglect, especially dogs and cats, and farmed animal abuse we tend to focus on. We'll be looking at the Canadian seal hunt which is under way this time of year, the fur farming industry in China, the plight of many pets purchased for Easter such as chicks and bunnies, and a story about trapped school mice seen through the eyes of an impressionable little girl.
Please know the point in sharing these posts isn't to be needlessly macabre or produce a shock value effect. These tragedies, no matter how foreign or distant from our day-to-day life like the cockfighting we mentioned a few days ago, or in the case of the Easter pets or school mice not so distant at all, still warrant our remembering, and without a doubt our prayer. After all, as the verses just before the one above make clear, these creatures' groaning has the same source as their hope, our own redemption as God's image bearers and stewards:
The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. (Romans 8:19-21, NIV)
We'll happily turn to the theme of redemption next week as Sunday points to Christ's resurrection, and the victory He accomplished over evil and death. In the meantime, you can find more posts on animal suffering in our blog's companion animal, farmed animal and wildlife categories.
(photo courtesy The Animals Voice)
March 29, 2010
Reader Comments (2)
Ben, what an appropriate way to lead into Easter. It is so important to understand the problem, the brokenness, the pain, the groaning before we can truly understand how incredible the redemption is. It will be valuable to sit in this place this week. I think it will help me to yearn for the redemption that much more. Thanks.
Thanks very much for the note, Scott, and for following along with the series. I appreciate what you wrote, and that you shared the post on Creation Hope's Facebook page - Ben