Inspired by...: art

Inspired by . . . becoming a gecko

There is a gecko in my house.

This is a terrible thing.

Not because I’m afraid of geckos. Although, I am concerned that he could hide somewhere {like the bed} and I might squish him accidently {shudder}. That would be awful. For both of us.

I’m rather fond of geckos, and this one will most likely die in my house because he will not listen to me and GO OUTSIDE where he can live the life he was intended to live.

This evening when I got home and flipped on the light I saw him scurry into a darkened corner and I wished, for just a moment, that I could become a gecko. I don’t think I would like walking around with suction cups on my feet, but at least I would be able to talk gecko talk, and convince the little guy that if he stays where he is HE WILL DIE.

Those ‘become a gecko’ thoughts reminded me of a story that I heard many years ago.

It was a story about a guy who had stayed home from church on Christmas Eve because he just couldn’t believe in a God Who would be born a man. It just didn’t make sense to him. If God was God why would He do such a ridiculous thing as to become a man. The guy just didn’t buy it and refused to be a hypocrite by going to the Christmas Eve service with his family.

As he is sitting at home, watching out the window for his family to return from the service, he sees two little doves huddled together in the tree outside his window. The man knows that the temperatures are supposed to fall well below freezing that night and he is suddenly afraid that the birds will die in the cold. He comes up with the brilliant idea to open his garage door and shoo the birds inside for the night.

Of course you know where this story is going. The doves are terrified of him and the man has the same thought of becoming a dove that I had about the gecko. If only he could make them understand that he’s trying to save them . . . And with that thought, he suddenly gets it.

He gets why God came down to dwell among us.

So why did Jesus come?

to save His people from their sins (Matt 1:21)
to shepherd God’s people, Israel (Matt 2:6)
to fulfill the Law (Matt 5:17)
to forgive sin (Matt 9:6)
to call sinners to repentance (Matt 9:13; Luke 5:32)
to reveal the Kingdom of Heaven (Matt 13:24, 31, 44-47)
to preach the good news (the gospel) of God (Mark 1:38, Luke 4:43)
to serve and give His life as a ransom (payment) for many (Mark 10:45)
to give us abundant life (John 10:10)
to bring division (Luke 12:49, 51)

You may have noticed that peace is not on the list. Do you find that odd? While it is true that Jesus IS peace, and He GIVES us peace, He did not claim to BRING peace. Quite the opposite, actually.

Confusing, isn’t it? Perhaps the gecko can help us understand.

I’m sorry I don’t have any pictures of real geckos to share with you. The little guy is just too timid for me to capture with my camera. His little mind can’t really comprehend much about this larger than life creature who is pursuing him. And what he does think about me is probably incorrect or, at best, incomplete.

"My thoughts," says the LORD, "are not like yours, and My ways are different from yours. Isaiah 55:8

I’ll keep praying that the little gecko will find his way back outside.

In the meantime, I’ll tread softly and keep an open mind.

Shalom,