Genesis 1:26: “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.'”
Caring for animals. Some people devote their entire lives to caring for animals: Veterinarians, animal shelter workers, animal rescues, zoo keepers, etc. Many make a living through farming and caring for chickens, cows, horses, sheep, etc.
Most of us either has a pet or had a pet at some point in our lives. God gives these animals to us to care for and in return they give us their hearts, their souls, and their undying devotion. They are simple creatures; never asking for much. Sometimes annoying like nudging you to feed them NOW! Or kneading your leg in the middle of the night. Yes, they are animals that need their poop picked up, their puke cleaned up, and when they are old, their butts picked up to make it out the door or into the car.
But no one can say these little hindrances take away from what we receive in return. They are always happy to see us. Happy to be petted and cuddled. Quick to comfort. Always nearby. We laugh at their quirks and what they do. We nap with them. We play. We grieve when they are sick and die. But most of all we love them right back and can’t imagine our lives without them.
So hug your pet today. Or someone else’s. Donate to the raptor or cat rescue. Stop to move the baby bird out of the road. Boycott ivory. Support the humane treatment of animals. It is our God-given responsibility. And you’ll be rewarded in unimaginable ways if you do.