What Lions Teach Us
“Go to the ant, though sluggard.” (Proverbs 6) I remember this old directive from Proverbs. We are told to get some wisdom from the ant. Learn to be industrious; look at “nature.” Little six-legged creatures point to how wise it is to WORK while you have the opportunity.
So, we can get wiser by looking at the animal kingdom. For example, pigs teach us against gluttony. The plunging falcon puts out its transparent “goggles” to protect its delicate eyes against debris it could contact in its rapid descent. It teaches cyclists and divers of all kinds to wear safety goggles to protect their eyes. We see excellent fatherhood in the life cycle of the penguin father as he guards little junior while mom is away getting fat.
Now, thanks to Discover Channel, we have a terrible example from the animals on how NOT to do a courtship. At last a camera has caught actual footage of a male lion destroying his offspring in order to keep his lady love in heat. Some boyfriend!
It is tragic that he resembles some boyfriends of today who want their pregnant girlfriends to frequent an abortion clinic to destroy their offspring to avoid social inconvenience, embarrassment, or financial problems. The girlfriends may reluctantly follow his lead to her own guilt and regret. Sometimes he is the reluctant one in line at the clinic, but so often he is the one behind the abortion and fee.
What is doubly sad is the availability of other options today. Infertile couples would gladly embrace an unwanted child into their empty arms. Many groups exist to aid a mom in distress in an unwanted pregnancy.
Then, there is the old-fashioned mentality to “suck it up” and raise the child you engendered. Many pregnancies are not welcomed but yield a wonderful child who becomes a dream child. Mom cannot imagine life without him or her. If we could “fast forward” that child’s life, we would see an amazing account of a person’s life. Only God could know the value of such a life.
Speaking of God, it is better to leave those matters in His hands. We wouldn’t want any “video footage” of us messing things up royally!!