Through the Waters
About this blog
Through the Waters is the blog of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Christian vocation ministries. Because the ministry of Christian vocation affirms the need for all baptized Christians – including Presbyterians - to identify and claim their call to discipleship in each decision and life choice, this blog is designed to serve as a resource for youth and young adults, as well as those in ministry with them, to assist the Holy Spirit in God’s movement in this journey through the waters. Take some time to read and think about your own responses to the questions posed here. For additional resources, we suggest that you visit our website.
Recent posts
- Living in the Light
- Living Thanks
- Footprints in Our Lives
- Growing Older, Growing Wiser
- Holy Listening
Categories
- Musings (9)
- Youth (5)
- Young Adults (4)
- View all categories →
Archives
Lessons from a Chimp
For whatever reason, I’ve been seeing more movies in the theatre lately. I’d like to say that it is because Hollywood is releasing more quality films and not because of my cravings for popcorn cooked in coconut oil but I probably just revealed my true feelings. Regardless, though, this last movie, Chimpanzee, was well worth the greasy fingers and added calories.
Oscar is a young chimpanzee living in the forest and enjoying life with his troop. His surroundings are amazing and the filmmakers did an incredible job of helping us understand the daily life and struggles of animals looking for food, avoiding predators, and forming relationships. And it is the latter that struck me the most. As all of us experience at some point in life, Oscar learned far too early about loss. For Oscar, though, his loss of relationship in this wild jungle immediately threatened his own life. Young chimpanzees cannot live long independently.
Thankfully, Oscar was not forced to live on his own for too long. As has rarely been witnessed, Oscar was adopted by the most unlikely member of his troop. For reasons we will never know, this much older chimpanzee knew of Oscar’s needs and formed a life-saving relationship. Oscar was literally rescued by a chimpanzee who sacrificed his role in the group, making this young one his priority.
My guess is that you, like me, could name one or several people who formed life-saving relationships with us. Sometimes these relationships are with people with whom we are related. Others are with people with whom we share no genetic traits. Some of these relationships are with very unlikely people and have created a change of heart to some degree. Some of these people have become our mentors. Some have become our role models. What these relationships do have in common, though, is the way that God’s love is demonstrated through them.
The true story of a young chimpanzee will sit with me for a long time, making me love and appreciate the many people who have come into my life to serve as models of the faith, demonstrating God’s unconditional love. We were created to be in relationship. Our lives depend on it.
Who is the person, or persons, who demonstrate God’s love for you?
How is your faith demonstrated in the relationships you have with others?
How have the people in your life helped you learn more about how God may be calling you?
How are you cultivating your own relationship with God?
- Posted at 2:18 p.m.
-
- Tweet