In her book "Animals Sanctified: A Spiritual Journey", Dr. Stefanatos states, "Each animal has an innate wisdom to share with us, if we have the patience to cooperate & listen." As I look at the donkeys in the pasture tonight, I think about what these donkeys have taught me. I believe that the most important lesson has been about humility.
Donkeys were brought to the Americas by the Spaniards in 1495 as low paid workers. They gained popularity as pack animals due to their ability to carry supplies. Because of their social nature & willingness to adapt to humans, many donkeys would follow their owners along a trail without being led with ropes. As the U.S. developed & they were no longer needed, many donkeys were turned loose into the deserts & left to fend for themselves. Perhaps wondering why they were abandoned, they learned to survive & currently roam the southwestern desert.
Now considered as competition for forage with other species, donkeys are rounded up periodically, taken from their homes, separated from their friends & made available for adoptions. Or they are sometimes shot & killed.
Unless a donkey has been abused, its usual response to threat is to endure or retreat. Balaam's donkey in Numbers 22 is an example of this behavior. When she saw the Angel of the Lord in her path, the donkey simply refused to go forward. After being whipped for this behavior 3 times, God opened her mouth, & she asked Balaam why he was striking her. No anger, now lawsuits, no revenge. Just a simple question...why didn't her owner trust her?
As I watch the donkeys in the pasture, I wonder, do they know of the jokes about their supposed stupidity & stubbornness? Do they know they are considered one of the lowliest animals? If they do, their response seems to be to turn the other cheek. They don't ask for much: adequate food, water, and a kind word & petting when you have time. In return, donkeys give you a glimpse of eternity. If you will let him, a donkey will teach you patience, stillness, compassion, forgiveness, love & humility. A donkey won't brag that one of his ancestors carried Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God, upon his back. Instead, a donkey will humbly carry the cross that has been imprinted on his back.
Are we willing to lay down our pride & learn from these lowly animals? Can we learn to walk in humility & to turn the other cheek? Will we allow the Holy Spirit to develop patience, stillness, compassion, forgiveness, & love in our lives? And, will we heed the words, "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, & take up his cross & follow Me?
This is very powerful. I read it with tears in my eyes. And I will print both this and your other post and put in my Bible. If you continue like this, I'll have a book of your posts before long.
ReplyDelete