Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker
Squirrel Dynasty
My rambunctious squirrels provide early-morning entertainment for me. They appear to work hard and play hard all at the same time. Many years ago, our friend Hildred gave us two little pecan trees that my late-husband Jimmy planted. The trees have been bearing nuts for several years but I’ve yet to pick or eat one. That’s because the squirrels are busy little critters and beat me to the pecans every year. I had great fun watching a Momma bird beat the tar out of two squirrels because they were getting too close to her babies’ nest. After their sound beating, they were smart enough to run away and play somewhere else.
We can learn from the bird that it’s the parents’ responsibility to protect and bring up our children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord (ref. Ephesians 6:4). The observation of nature can be a practical teacher if we will only pause and pay attention. In the Book of Proverbs we find both the nature and the spiritual fused together as a relevant learning tool. This Book of Wisdom speaks about the ant, rock badger, locust, lizard, spider, eagle, snake, lion, rooster, etc. Like a rock badger, believers can hide in the Lord as our solid Rock when storms hit us. Just as locusts are part of a swarm, believers are part of a team (the family of God). We can receive great insight and spiritual lessons from the simple things right in front of our eyes.
Humans have a natural tendency to be foolish. But for those who fear (revere) the Lord, wisdom is available to those who sincerely seek it from God. “My child, will you treasure My wisdom? Then, and only then, will you acquire it. And only if you accept My advice and hide it within will you succeed. So train your heart to listen when I speak and open your spirit wide to expand your discernment — then pass it on to your sons and daughters” (Proverbs 2:1-2 TPT). Knowledge is found in books, but wisdom comes straight from God. “Wisdom is a gift from a generous God, and every word He speaks is full of revelation and becomes a fountain of understanding within you. For the Lord has a hidden storehouse of wisdom made accessible to His godly lovers“ (Proverbs 2:6-7 TPT). We need God’s wisdom everyday to guide our steps and direct our life.
God is good, thoughtful, and caring so He created the animal kingdom with instincts. You’ll never find a squirrel reading a book, yet he knows how to outsmart me by eating or burying every last stinkin’ pecan on my place. Yes siree Bob, I have an army of hard-working, fun-loving squirrels with ginormous energy. I researched and found that squirrels like to eat other things besides my pecans and black walnuts. They also enjoy stuffing themselves on vegetables, seeds, insects, fruits, fungi, eggs, plants, berries, cereal, worms, pumpkins, birdseed, cheese, flowers, mushrooms, beans, corn, spinach, celery, and bark. I knew they liked bark because they’ve been chewing on my park bench — even though they‘re surrounded by trees and live in them!
God created an awesome nature for us to enjoy and also learn from. We’re doing ourselves a great disservice when we fail to look for the lessons in nature that can be applied in a spiritual manner. Some have said, “I feel closer to God when I’m fishing.” And I say, “Be wise and do both — go to church and then fish if you want.”
The Key: Join God in His nature and see what you can apply to your spiritual life.