Has an animal ever stopped you in your tracks? Yesterday I was running along a trail when at the last second, I spotted a small garter snake in the middle of the path. I stopped suddenly just a couple of feet away from it. Immediately, the snake sprung into action, going from still to squiggly as it slithered back and forth. It seemed less happy to see me than I was to see it.
I enjoyed watching the snake’s swift motion as it changed directions, looking for a safe route back into the grass. It found its opportunity and disappeared into the woods.
A few weeks ago while hiking in the mountains, I found another garter snake. I didn’t just watch that one on the ground, but instead picked it up for a closer look. Despite common belief, snakes are not slimy. I enjoyed feeling its smooth, scaly skin and the strength of its muscles as it moved through my hands.
The garter snake I found on yesterday’s trail looked different than the one I held in the mountains. Yesterday’s snake had a bright yellow line running down its back and crimson red sides. The snake in the mountains had no red. It was brown with bright yellow stripes.
Why did the two garter snakes look different? Because God splashed garter snakes in many colors! Some are brown and yellow, while others are red, black, blue, or orange. Some sport striped patterns while others have checkers. My family has found many different colors and patterns of garter snakes. I love admiring their unique colors and considering how creative God is. God could have made just one style of garter snake, but instead he arrayed them in many beautiful ways.
In a similar way, God creatively made humans with beautiful variety. Around the world, God showcases his creativity in humans with different skin tones, hair and eye colors, and body shapes. Variety is something to be celebrated as it displays God’s creativity and thoughtfulness. When we see someone who looks different than us, we can celebrate how God made each of us unique!
Psalm 139:14 reminds us that we are all fearfully and wonderfully made! We can delight in our unique features and thank God for making each person one-of-a-kind and in his image. Whenever you see a garter snake, delight in the unique colors and patterns God created it with. Let it remind you that every human being, including you, showcases God’s creativity and beauty.
