Does eating a black raspberry make you sad? That seems like a silly question. I love to eat fruit. When God created the earth, every kind of plant that he created was for food and for our good. In the spring, when I see thousands of helicopter seeds from a maple tree covering the ground, I think of God’s abundance. The seeds have the potential to grow into a new plant, but few will because birds and squirrels eat them. The black raspberries that I pick are covered with seeds; they, too, could become a shrub full of fruit—if I didn’t eat them. However, we might feel different about animals.

 

For the last couple of weeks, I have been watching a Carolina wren’s nest on my porch. The mother wren built her nest on a pillar safe from predators and the rain. Yesterday, I found that a baby had fledged, or left the nest, before the others. It was on the ground and calling for its mother. That same call was heard by the neighborhood cat, Banjo, who came running to find it.

 

I scooped up the baby wren and shooed the cat away. It was a tense moment. 

Baby animals are helpless when they enter the world. I feel drawn to protect them and help them if possible. If this bird had been a maple seed or a black raspberry, I would not have jumped to action to protect it from the prowling cat. In the Garden of Eden, the plants were made by God to be eaten, but the animals were not. It wasn’t until sin entered the world that animals were on the menu (Genesis 9:3). Carnivores only eat other animals to survive. Though this is a sad thought, God gives them food through prey animals, so that they, too, can live. But did you know carnivores will eat plants again?

 

Isaiah 11:6-7 says, “The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like an ox.”

 

When Jesus returns, God will right every wrong caused by sin. This also means animals will all be herbivores (plant eaters). Lions will eat plants along with the cows, and the young animals will lie down together without fear. Harmony will be restored as it was in the Garden of Eden. People will also experience this harmony too. Wrongs committed against us and the wrongs we do to others will be wiped clean by God. He will restore relationships and make all things new again.

“But Jesus must stay in heaven until the time comes when all things will be made right again. God told about this time long ago when he spoke through his holy prophets.” Acts 3:21 (NCV)

Dear God, thank you for the promise that you will make all things new. Help me to forgive those that have hurt me and help those that I have hurt to forgive me.

Fun Fact:

Carolina wrens are cavity nesters. They build their nest in nooks, holes, and even old boots. They also prefer to nest on porches where they feel safe near humans.

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