Recently, my church offered pet blessings in honor of St. Francis’ Day. Amongst 87 dogs, a horse, a parrot, and 14 cats, I showed up with my guinea pig in his tiny carrier. Needless to say, he was a bit freaked. Actually, the car ride wasn’t his favorite thing to do either. But his experience became a “God lesson” for me.
God can take me places I am not sure I want to go, and it may be a bit unsettling. But he is in control, and it is for my good. So, I need to trust Him and relax.
- I am in good hands and protected, like my guinea pig was in his carrier. My vision may be limited, but no harm will come to me as long as I rest in His grace and mercy.
- I may be unique, but I am not alone. My guinea pig was the only one of his kind that afternoon, and I am not quite sure some of the other pets didn’t view him as a possible lunch option, but… our masters had us all there for a good reason. God may have me encounter people different from me, some that may seem threatening or uncomfortable to be near, but as long as I stay in His will, within the boundaries He has set for me, I “shall fear no evil” but be comforted (Psalm 23).
- Just as I gripped my pet close to me during the blessing prayers, God holds me close when I pray.
Sure, in this life, I may experience harm. Like my pet, I am a prey animal, and at times being a Christian makes me vulnerable to attack. I am not sure GuinGuin has everlasting life, so while he has a heartbeat, I will provide for him and protect him to the best of my ability. But through Christ I have eternal life. This is not my home. As Paul stated so perfectly, For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39). In the meantime, God will provide for me. I have total trust in that fact. I, too, have been blessed.
May you realize that if you have accepted Christ and the Holy Spirit now dwells in you, you are in a carrier called God’s grace, and will be carried through this life in His loving protection, no matter what happens.
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