Christian Living

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Lately it seems like I’m hearing more news reports about people being mauled by exotic animals, most commonly their pet tigers.

Wait a minute, wait a minute—their PET tigers?

Sometime during our walk through life, we’ve heard a person say, “That’s not a pet—that’s a wild animal!”

A 600 pound, orange and black striped kitty certainly qualifies. Don’t get me wrong—I love tigers, especially when I’m watching them frolic in their natural habitat, and that habitat is on one side of my TV while I’m on the other. My second favorite place to see tigers is when they’re being well cared for at a reputable zoo.

It’s safe to say, most people wouldn’t be too keen on seeing a tiger in their neighbor’s back yard, caged or not. It’s also safe to say that most people aren’t shocked to hear that the pet tiger attacked its owner. I mean, come on—a house cat will come at you like a flying squirrel; why wouldn’t a tiger come at you like a flying tiger? (Tiger Trivia: they can leap 30 feet!)

I’ll probably be criticized for this, but I always feel sad when I hear the tiger was euthanized… for being a tiger. Of course it attacked. That’s what wild animals DO. Honestly, what are people expecting when they adopt a tiger? Bouncing Tigger entertaining at the kid’s birthday parties?

While I don’t claim to be the brightest crayon in the box, I do have this wild animal thing figured out. People who don’t want to be mauled by a tiger shouldn’t bring one home. Ditto for putting a bear in the basement or a shark in the swimming pool. A good rule of thumb would be: leave wild animals in the wild.

I have a friend who will vouch for this, and he should know—he was pecked and pursued by an ostrich. Back when it was believed ostriches were going to be the “new red meat”, he invested in a few and raised them on his farm. Out of the blue, one transformed into a feathered Godzilla and feeding time erupted into a situation called “Big Bird Goes Psycho.” Thankfully, nobody was hurt. Wisely, my friend realized that owning ostriches was inviting trouble, so he put his on the auction block.

Not everyone realizes when they’re playing with fire, though—or they do but think they can handle it. Sometimes, they’re having too much fun to care. That’s how things like an office flirtation turns into an affair, credit card convenience leads to serious debt or using alcohol to relive stress creeps into an addiction.

In Matthew 15:14, Jesus said, “If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.” Though He was referring to the Pharisees and their incorrect teachings, it occurred to me that a person’s desire for physical, emotional, financial or social satisfaction can function as a leader, one blinded by false perceptions about what the rewards will be. When someone chooses to follow such blind desires, they themselves are blind to the danger of their own actions. Self leading self is the same as the blind leading the blind.

Eventually, though, their sight returns—and they find themselves face-to-face with a wild animal. It could be a fatal attraction, bill collectors or a sobriety test on the side of the road. Whatever, it’s got a loud roar and sharp claws. Because of the person’s prior blindness, they might not have even seen the trouble coming.

Well, whatever predicament a person finds themselves in, God is always willing to forgive and restore, enabling them to say, “And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth..” (2 Timothy 4:17)

It’s even better to say that God “shut the mouths of the lions. (Daniel 6:22).” That’s what happens when people choose to steer clear of those dens of sin.

Let’s leave trouble where trouble lives, and not choose to bring it home.

©Donna G. Morton, May 2007

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