The Hidden-Ask the Animals Sundays

I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11 ESV

Look into the Creation and find its Creator. His fingerprints are on anteater and atom. The natural world whispers of its supernatural sister. Reveals secrets. Shares truths. This world bears His colors and His character. His strength and His tenderness. His economy and His generosity.

A young artist friend has been uncovering God every time she opens her pastel box. She has generously offered to share some of her treasure with us.


Sister squirrel came to visit. She savors the bounty the Earth has provided. Nuts, seeds, acorns, corn, mushrooms, wildflowers and fruit tempt and delight. She always looks ahead and so prepares a feast for the future when trees and fields rest.

She gathers acorns, about 900 per year, and buries them close to her drey (treetop dwelling of two rooms and a nursery). They will be life to her in winter's long months when hunger digs itself a much needed meal. She has hidden her own future and preserved her own life.

So it is with us. Those scriptural acorns underlined and memorized, written in lipstick on the bathroom mirror, saved in precious cards from friends, hidden in our hearts, they feeds us in the lean times.

When trials come they are unearthed. When a son goes to war, when a lump is discovered, when a loved one dies, when a job is lost, when a new career path is steep, when we feel unloved, when we are tempted, when life is unyielding...winter snows are brushed aside and desire and memory grab a shovel. If the crisis is hard and desperate enough bare nails will suffice to unearth hope. In the most trying of times what has been hidden may be our only salvation.

I have esteemed (treasured) the words of His mouth more than my necessary food. Job 23:12 KJV.

The Hebrew for the storing up of God's word in our opening verse is from the same root word as to esteem or treasure the words of God's mouth in Job 23. It means to reserve or hoard. To pack away as much as we can carry to avoid sin and starvation and promote life and a future.

As Lent begins, let's take a lesson from Christian's squirrel. Let's esteem God's word above the food that lacks nourishment and bury a few acorns. NCIS and CSI and American Idol may entertain but they will not sustain. Take time with the Word.

Two years ago John and I fasted our cable for Lent. We drew sunflowers with scripture verses and sent them to friends. We read Contemplating the Cross and baked bread and had communion at our supper table. Some of that bread is still feeding us. The 50.00 acorns we saved each month were planted in the mission field and are still being planted to this day. We don't miss the commercials.

Let God lead you as you store up His abundant goodness in these next six weeks. You will find the method that is right for you.

Talk to the animals. They have a wisdom we need.

-Kat


Ask the animals what they think—let them teach you;
let the birds tell you what's going on.
Put your ear to the earth—learn the basics.
Listen—the fish in the ocean will tell you their stories.
Isn't it clear that they all know and agree
that God is sovereign? That He holds all things in His hand—
Every living soul, yes, every breathing creature.
Job 12:7-10


God takes care of Creation. All things really do work together:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUyLzRAFWPg&feature=related

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/1998/11/981126102802.htm

(Special thanks to Christian Jeter, age 7, for using her giftings for God-things. She will join me to produce Ask the Animals for the remaining Sundays through Palm Sunday.)