Articles
Coyote
R E F L E C T I O N S
Thoughts on nature and the Christian faith
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"You will be hated by all for my name’s sake." - Lk. 21:17
I photographed this coyote as it was about to cross a country road. Around my home there must be a lot of coyotes since I often hear their howling calls in the woods behind my house at night. But actually seeing one is another matter all together. And as far as photographing them, that is an even rarer occurrence for me. These animals are found only in North America and have amassed for themselves quite a reputation over the years. Native Americans viewed them as sly tricksters, deceitful and cunning. That view has not changed much today. They are hated for killing livestock and attacking humans, although that latter claim is greatly exaggerated. Numerous attempts over the years to eradicate them have proven unsuccessful. Their numbers and their range has just increased. The truth about coyotes, however, does not warrant such hostility. They are a necessary part of a balanced ecosystem for controlling rodents and removing carrion. But, for most people, they remain objects of fear and hatred. As Christians, we should empathize with them. Jesus himself has told us that we would be hated and misunderstood much like he was. I guess it is just part of the cost of trying to live lives that honor him. But what bothers me is that much of the hatred we experience is deserved. The history of the church is too often marked by folks who wear the name of Jesus but behave in ways that Jesus himself would denounce. Far too many shameful things have been done over the years in the name of Jesus. Really, it appears that we will be hated by Jesus if we don't act like he tells us to, or we will be hated by the world if we do act like he tells us to. Either way, some one will hate us. It is much better to be hated and misunderstood by the world but loved by Jesus, than to experience the opposite of that. You can survive being hated and misunderstood in this world. Coyotes do. - John
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