Romans 1:20, “For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,”
Since my kids were little, at least age one and older, our family spent many hours and years at one zoo or another. In fact, my oldest is twenty-six now and I can’t remember a year we didn't make it to a zoo at least once. There may be a year or two we missed but one thing I can say, our family enjoys the zoo.
Each zoo can offer something unique and different to experience but the best experiences, aside from a child's delight, are the animals. From the big bears, the lions and the tigers, all the way to the small frogs and spiders ☹. My favorite are tigers, giraffes, and zebras. No matter how many I see, I am always amazed by their distinct designs. As if a painter perfectly placed each stripe or spot.
Our favorite zoos are the ones where all the habitats are the more natural habitats, like found in nature. Lots of trees, rocks, dirt, and room. Most zoos have a petting farm where you can feed the goats, ostriches, emus, llamas, and more. Zoos are a wonderful place to see God's creation in each animal. Uniquely designed and created each with their own habits, living styles, the ways they eat and interact with those around them. Some playful with bystanders (especially monkeys), some ignoring you completely, others just simply enjoying life.
Summer is usually when families visit the zoo the most, but this fall my husband and I were able to visit a zoo with our niece. Being fall, the weather is cooler and the animals definitely more active than the warmer days of summer. While there I discovered some things we can learn when we take a walk on the wild side.
- Be a sanctuary of wonder:
Our lives get busy with many things. Many things that make us feel we're on repeat and we get stuck in a rut. When God created this world, He meant for life to be full of wonder that brings us joy. Yes, we must live day-to-day but, in those hours, we can still build a sanctuary where we can explore, learn, and build something meaningful to us. As we enjoy the animals in the zoo, let’s take time to observe God's creation around us. Let God inspire us and get us out of the day-to-day mundane rut.
- Feed your curiosity:
Have you ever observed animals at feeding time, and there are some places that let you feed some of the animals. Oh, they will quickly gobble up what you have in your hand, and it's their curiosity and desire for food that keeps them coming back for more. They eagerly look forward to visits just to get more food. Jesus has said He is the Bread of Life, and we can be satisfied when we search the scriptures. In God's Word our curiosity will be filled. But, like the animals who eagerly eat the food, we need to be intentionally, actively, spending time in scripture with the desire to learn.
- Listen with delight:
A lion’s roar, wolves howling, peacocks screeching, mockingbirds mocking, even monkeys chattering. Along with the delightful squeals and laughter of children, the animals provide quite a chorus to enjoy. Zoos easily bring a smile to most all faces and fill us with joy. Jesus too, will bring delight to our soul When we take time to simply be still and listen. In those moments our Lord wants to speak to us and share with us. Listen, you will find the joy you are seeking.
- Care for others:
Have you ever watched those working at the zoo and thought it could be cool to be a zookeeper. They care deeply for the animals and show a lot of love and kindness when working with them. Some even take the time to share with you all about the animal, from age to habits to what makes them tick. We don't necessarily have to know the ins and outs of everyone we know but we certainly need to show care to everyone, even the hard to like ones. We are all part of God's creation, and our acts of kindness will always show God's light shining through us.
- Love the world around you:
There's a lot of work that goes into a zoo. From the paths we walk to each habitat, a well-kept zoo shows a well-loved zoo, and you usually will want to visit again and again. God showed great love in this world He created it. With each flower, tree, fish, animals, and the stars placed in the sky, we see God's love. So much has gone wrong in this world since creation but we still can show love for what God has given us. We can take care of the things around us, keep our homes well kept, and be people others enjoy coming back and visiting with.
- Preserve your wild nature:
No, we don't have to roar like the lions or beat our chests like the gorillas, but we also don't have to fall into the ways of the world. Technology, TV, smartphones, or media. There is nothing wrong with finding a balance in your life, in fact it’s necessary, and don't forget to get out in nature. Take walks, go fishing, swimming, even boating. Take time to preserve God's creation by getting out of the city now and again. That is where you will find God the easiest.
- Roar with excitement:
Are you happy to be a Christian, delighted Jesus is your Savior? When the lions have something to say the entire zoo can hear them. This should be you and me. We may not be as loud as a lion, but we can share the good news with those around us. Sing songs of Jesus and His love, praise the Lord for what He has done, show you are a Christian and you are happy and delighted in Jesus.
One of the most important gifts God has given us is the ability to see He is alive and working in our world today – in His creation. What better place to see a great variety of God’s creation than a zoo? There we can see the beauty of His creativity and His amazing love for us. Have you lost your spark? Have you settled for less than what God has intended for you? Maybe it’s time to venture out to a zoo and take a walk on the wild side and let God renew your heart and soul with His wonderful creation. Have a zooriffic day!
People may ask, why should we take time to study the Bible? I believe the answer is simple. Studying the Bible matters because God matters.
We study the Bible because it is God’s word to the world. We want to hear him. We want to slow down and carefully, thoughtfully, and reverently hear what he has to say to us.
How valuable are these words? “More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb” (Psalm 19:10). Two of the greatest pleasures our world pursues—money and food—and the Bible satisfies us more than both.
We have been studying how we can have a more Godly relationship with others and what the Bible shows us. I hope you were able to take a few minutes more and go through each lesson. We are going to move onto a new Bible study getting to know Jesus better. Over the next several lessons we will study what Jesus is saying when He says "I AM" starting with lesson 1 Jesus is I AM.
Thank you for taking the time to read this blog and if you'd like take a few more minutes to look around or click on my other links, God bless.
If you haven't already please subscribe to our email list on our homepage https://www.connectwithgoddaily.com/ or join any of our media, and please feel free to visit us on Facebook and join our group. https://www.facebook.com/dailyblessingblog/
Also come visit and see what is new in our bookstore. dswells.weebly.com
Don't forget to share with your friends some inspiration today and brighten up their day too.
For those new to our emails, if you would rather receive these via text or on messenger please let me know through my email, dswell123@yahoo.com or our FaceBook page.
Comments