To Save the Zebra.

Galatians 3:28 (New International Version)

There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

There are times when decisions can be difficult, times when no matter what you do it seems to be the wrong thing, or the less wrong thing to do.

Here's a case in point.

Southern Kenya has undergone a drought. That drought has taken a severe toll on the zebra and wildebeest population.

Without wildebeest and zebra, the lion population has become hungry and started looking for food -- elsewhere. To a lion's palate the next best thing to a zebra is the domesticated cattle of the Maasai.

The Maasai are understandably upset with having their livelihood become lunch for the lions. Nobody can blame them for protecting their cattle and, when necessary, killing the lions. Of course, without any wildlife, the ecosystem gets a little strange, tourism drops, and the plains look pretty desolate.

So, what to do?

The government has decided the best thing to do is import 4,000 zebras and 3,000 wildebeest. The zebras and wildebeest are designated as food for the starving lions.

Pretty tough decision, isn't it? You can feel sorry for the starving lions, or the Maasai natives, or the wildebeest and zebras. You can try to save one or two of these groups, but it will be hard to save them all.

So what's the point?

St. Paul is clear. Jesus didn't come to save one race, one culture, or one select group of people. Jesus came to be the Savior of all. He was born to rescue and redeem everyone. He lived taking the place of everyone; He shouldered the sins of everyone; He died for everyone, and He rose so that all who believe on Him will not perish but have life everlasting.

Was the decision to come and save sinful humanity a difficult one? Difficult or not, the decision was made and because Jesus willingly took our place, we have salvation.

Dear Lord thank You for sending of Your Son to save this lost world. We thank You for giving us salvation. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

The Zebra and the Lesson of Timing

Timing is everything. A few years back there was a show on Discovery Channel. It was about the wild animals in Africa and how they migrate. It focused on wildebeests and zebras as they migrate and how the predators would wait for them. In this one instance they had to cross this river and these huge crocodiles were waiting. They would cross by the hundreds. As these zebras and wildebeests were crossing this one zebra was crossing a bit downstream from the rest and out of nowhere this giant croc grabbed the zebra by the head and dragged it under the water and drowned it.


-This poor zebra was at the wrong place at the wrong time.


15Look carefully then how you walk! Live purposefully and worthily and accurately, not as the unwise and witless, but as wise (sensible, intelligent people), 16Making the very most of the time [buying up each opportunity], because the days are evil.
- Ephesians 5:15-16 (Amplified Bible)




Dear Lord we thank You for the time you give us, we pray that we would use it wisely. We pray that we would take every opportunity to do the things you would want us to do. In Jesus' name, amen.