Articles
Black Bears
Black bears are fantastic climbers. The way they can easily scale trees is amazing for animals of such size. Young bears learn this skill at an early age to avoid danger or just to rest. I watched this young fellow scamper up this tree and then sit and survey the surrounding woodland. He looked perfectly at ease and seemed to be enjoying his elevated position. For young bears, there is safety in height and, if I could read his facial expression, a sense of comfort and peace as well. He looked to me like a king overlooking his kingdom. I found myself wishing I could join him, sharing the limb on which he sat. It occurs to me that, as Christians, we all will experience a much more elevated position when Christ returns to take us unto himself. We will be honored to sit with him on his throne, high and lifted up above all creation. What will we have done to deserve such an honor? Nothing. The work, the merit, and the conquering belong to Christ alone. The fact that he would share such an exalted position with sinners such as us is nothing but pure grace. I like to think that in the renewed earth all of God's creation will be there for our enjoyment. So maybe, just maybe, I will be able to share a limb with this little fellow after all. - John
