Articles
Leader of the Pack
R E F L E C T I O N S
Thoughts on nature and the Christian faith
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"God reigns over the nations; God sits on his holy throne."
- Ps. 47:8
The International Wolf Center located near the Canadian border in northern Minnesota houses a pack of wolves which are habituated to the presence of humans and are therefore relatively easy to approach and photograph. I have always thought that wolves are very regal in their appearance and demeanor. This particular wolf was the leader of the pack and often appeared on this rock outcropping to survey the other wolves. He had a certain majesty about him to which the other wolves willingly submitted. He was in control and the other wolves knew it. Authority is earned and submission is learned. We humans, however, tend to resist authority and think of submission as a sign of weakness. I guess it all depends on who it is that is exercising the authority over us. But in the case of God, there should be no question as to who has the right to be in authority and who has the obligation to submit. God reigns. We don't. God, like this wolf leader, sits on his throne and observes those below him whom he has both created and instructed. Although there is much we do that we believe is done in secret, it all is done under the watchful gaze of the One to whom we one day must give an account. During the time I spent with these wolves, I saw on one occasion a fight which broke out between two wolves. The pack leader did nothing but observe for a while, and then came down and dealt fiercely with them both. From his throne, God reigns and observes from above, often with no quick response. But a time is coming when he will, a time when each of us will have to give an account for every word, deed, and thought we have ever had. What we all desperately need is a substitute who will stand in our place. And thank God we who have embraced the gospel do have such a one. His name is Jesus and he has been fully approved by the One who watches from above. - John
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