Nature is full of lessons. Lessons that teach us so much about living. How to live with ourselves. How to live with others. Ways to live life abundantly and not make foolish mistakes that may cost us. My latest bible readings have given me a fresh revelation of how God teaches us through His creation. We learn by studying His creatures. Animals in the wild are fascinating to watch. Those David Attenborough documentaries can be gripping. There is never a dull moment if we take a closer look at what is around us. The Bible is full of rich stories that have made me ponder how much God loves the animal kingdom. And He expects us to do the same – love and cherish all that He has made.
I was reading several Proverbs and came across these small critters:
“Four things on earth are small,
but they are exceedingly wise:
the ants are a people not strong,
yet they provide their food in the summer;
the rock badgers are a people not mighty,
yet they make their homes in the cliffs;
the locusts have no king,
yet all of them march in rank;
the lizard you can take in your hands,
yet it is in kings' palaces.”
(Proverbs chapter 30, verses 24-28)
My first thought was ‘Oh, this would make a great children’s story!’ I could imagine myself writing another story centered around the lives of animals with beautiful illustrations to match (if I could find a willing and able illustrator). At the end of the story, children would be asked to search for the deeper meaning (similar to my Lion and Porcupine story which I shared previously).
Aside from the want to turn these few proverbs into a picture book, I asked myself ‘What do I learn from these little animals? What can I apply to my own life and how I relate to others?’ I want to encourage you to do the same. Look for these key lessons in the Bible through the smallest and largest creatures that God has created for a purpose.
Reflections from creation:
The ant:
Do I plan for the future?
Am I careful with my finances?
Do I take good care of the resources that God has given me?
Do I work hard and persevere with the work God has for me?
The rock badger:
Do I make wise decisions?
Do I keep myself humble?
Am I building my life on what is strong and firm (consider the parable of the man who built his house upon the rock)? Do I place all my security in Him?
The locust:
Am I part of a unified church with God as our ultimate leader? (Not the pastor).
Am I unified with others – my family, friends, and colleagues?
Am I making an impact in my community? Am I doing this by working alongside others and being part of a team?
The lizard:
Am I keeping my eyes on Jesus (the heavenly places), not on the things of this world (the lowly places), knowing that I will one day be with him?
Am I seeing everyone around me as the same? That no matter whom I interact with, we are all the same in the eyes of God. Am I treating everyone with His love?
(Now there are translations that mention a spider rather than a lizard. What might you learn from a spider and what it does?)
Some of these questions are huge. Many of these questions we need to ask ourselves year after year. As I was reflecting on them, I considered how they would make great conversation starters for life coaching sessions! Whatever the case, I implore you to contemplate the wonders of creation and the revelation it gives to us about how to live life!
Fiona Murray has a passion for telling stories, both real and fictional, to engage the reader in the greatest hope of all, Jesus Christ. She has been a primary school teacher, teacher aide, personnel administrator for a mission organization and financial assistant for a community trust, all of which has grown her love for detail and creativity. Fiona is also undertaking further theology study to enhance her writing. She is married to Alan, and they live in Selwyn, Canterbury (NZ) with their children.