even the animals knew
Not long ago our friend Anna Clark introduced me to Christian author and poet M. Kent Travis. Kent's blog is worth following in general, but his recent post "Even the Animals Knew" especially grabbed my attention. Kent acknowledges he's not the biggest "animal person," but his insight is perhaps even more valuable as a result. I'm grateful to be able to share it here at the beginning of Lent when many Christians are honoring Christ's 40 days in the wilderness ...
Yesterday was a particularly difficult day for my second daughter. She was being snippy and unkind to everyone else in the family, even after we explained to her what she was doing. It was if she couldn't stop herself or didn't even know that she was doing it.
Maybe both explanations are true. Isn't this how it is with much of our sin? We just do it (or don't do it, depending on the nature of it), unaware of it or unable and/or unwilling to do anything about it. (Well, we're not really able to do anything about it, other than rely on God through faith in Jesus, but hopefully you see my point.)
So my little one went to bed a little weighed down by the many minutes of correction and instruction (and some yelling, too, I admit) she received yesterday between 6 and 8:30 PM. We did end the day with her on my lap and me holding her and explaining that I'm on her side and that I want what's healthful for her and the people around her. Nevertheless, the heart can stay heavy even in forgiveness and re-direction.
Sometimes, we need an alternate form of ministering.
When Jesus was sent into the wilderness after his baptism, he was alone and fasting for forty days. Then Satan tempted him and sought to win him over or cause him to fall. Mark spends a mere two verses on the story, but he offers a little piece of information the other gospel writers don't: he says, "And he [Jesus] was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him" (1:13b, ESV).
The mention of these animals has struck me over the past year. I'm not sure what they mean or what they were doing. But after last night, I can't help but wonder if they weren't ministering to Jesus, as the angels were.
Yeah. It sounds a little off to me (cry pardon to you animal lovers out there; I'm not really an animal person and thus not a "believer" in their ministerial qualities). But I'm rethinking my view. Here's why.
Last night, after my second child was in bed and settled, I went in to say goodnight and to pray with her. Both of our cats were up there on her bunk bed, curled up at my little one's feet. I thought she had put them both up there, but she said they both came to see her.
Huh. It's like they knew she needed a little something extra. More affection, more attention, more comforting, etc., who knows? Anyway, she was with the animals as Jesus was with the animals. And she was better for it, as I've no doubt Jesus was as well.
Maybe I need to see that even the animals know our need. Or, rather, God even uses the animals to meet our needs.
(photo credit MaszaS/123rf.com)
February 22, 2012
Reader Comments (3)
I have often been moved by the verses in Romans 8 and Isaiah 11 that talk about "all creation" and the animals. Once years ago, as I was struggling through Leviticus in my first attempt to read the Bible through, the Holy Spirit spoke to me about the value of animals: if it takes the blood of the very SON of GOD to cover our sin, and the blood of animals was powerful enough to cover sin for a whole year, they are truly valuable indeed, to God, and to us.
This story warms my heart!
Sunny, that's such a good point to make, and very insightful. So many animal advocates struggle with the massive amounts of animal sacrifices in the Old Testament, and I think you touched on one of the most helpful responses to that dilemma for us as Christians. Thank you.
And thanks for the note as well, Anna, and for putting me in touch with Kent!
Ben