Orangutans, Elephants, and Crocodiles
We had a wonderful visit to the zoo over the Easter weekend. The weather was just perfect for a zoo trip, and we all had a great time. Each time I go to a zoo, I am amazed when I watch the different animals. They are each unique in their habitats, appearances, and abilities. On our recent visit we witnessed various animals eating. The orangutans made us laugh as they hurried over to the fence and held out their hands to receive some celery from the zookeeper. An elephant pulled at pieces of grass in the ground until he had some in his trunk and raised it to his mouth. Some tiny crocodiles came out of the water when they heard the zookeeper tap a stick on the ground to offer them some mice from his bucket.
As I was 
observing the animals, the elephants in particular, I thought how each animal eats in the way God designed them to eat. Each one ate in their own way, handled their food in a certain way, and had their own preferences to what foods they ate. I doubt the orangutans would have been very excited if the zookeeper had offered them the crocodile’s mice for lunch! Looking at the animals I realized that they were functioning in their best way, eating the way God intended them to eat. It would be pointless for the crocodile to try to be like the elephant.
It seems as humans we sometimes act just the opposite. For example, if someone wants to handle a situation differently than we would, we get defensive and think our way is the only way…or the right way….or the best way. We try to get others to conform to our way instead of looking at multiple ideas. In actuality there are probably many possible solutions to the problem that could all result in a satisfactory resolution. Just because someone does something differently than us does not mean they are wrong.
As I am thinking today about the animals eating in their own ways, we as humans are each unique in the mannerisms and passions God has given us. He wants us to use what we have been given to be our best for serving Him, not trying to be just like everyone else or making everyone else be just like us.
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. Romans 12:3-8
Have a day of blessings!
You can find me at Raindrops & Rainbows.
Wonderful my friend.
What a wonderful reminder today Bethany that we all are different and differences don’t make it right or wrong …just different. lol I love that passage you shared with us, we are ALL members of one body but thankfully we are all not the arms or the legs because if we were NOTHING would get accomplished! Each part is needed! -blessings.
I am so glad we are not all the same! What a boring life! I love variety.. at the zoo and in life! God bless you dear friend.
Beautifully said Bethany.
Thanks for sharing.
It is so true Bethany – we all have different ways to handle a situation. May we always be respectful of how others handle a situation and have encouragement on our lips instead of criticism.