Like Attracts Like
Today's blog came from a comment exchange between myself and Kristin, one half of my two favourite rescue people in the world who run Ziggy's Refuge Farm Sanctuary, the other half is Jay, a big shout out to Kristin & Jay, you can check them out in the website link above and also via their Facebook page!
I commented on how amazing their work was and how beautifully they were stewarding God's creation, and as a result, they were experiencing miracles in the life-saving work they are pioneering at the River Centre For Compassionate Care.
This venture is in honour of their beloved rescue pig River, who they lost in a senseless way because of negligence, on the part of someone who was supposed to be looking after him, hence why they moved mountains to set up their own treatment centre.
Following a beautiful exchange, I was responding to Kristin's comment about how amazing their supporters are and I told her that like attracts like, and that the relationship between them is a symbiotic relationship of upliftment.
In a moment of inspiration, I managed to catch the thought as it was such an exquisite and powerful statement, so pure and perfect in nature, that it could only have come from the Holy Spirit, and then revelation poured forth!
Community & Unity
A symbiotic relationship of upliftment - these words are so delicious, so delectable and so delightful that they need to be savoured in order to fully understand their depth and significance.
When I commented on Kristin's post, I was feeling quite low as I was trying to figure out how I would build my own community, so it's surprising that I was able to even lift someone else, although it wasn't me doing the lifting, a greater force than myself was at play!
In the same way that God was carrying me, He was using me to uplift and support Kristin and Jay, in a symbiotic relationship of upliftment!
I then realised that those of like mind and heart need each other to survive and thrive - those who are flying the flag of love, peace, life and truth as a beacon of hope need those who support, champion and clarion call their awe-inspiring efforts, and vice versa.
This symbiotic relationship of upliftment fulfils our mutual intrinsic need to come together in community and unity, with the courage of a lion, to make a real difference, to a world that is crying out for help.
We Are All Meant To Shine
I am reminded of a deeply insightful quote by Marianne Williamson, from her book, A Return To Love.
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."
Our Light Is Powerful Beyond Measure
In order to fully grasp the power of our light, we need to go back to the beginning.
In the beginning, God said, "Let there be light," and there was light.
God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. (Genesis 1:3-4)
The light comes from the radiance and brightness of God's presence. (Psalm 76:4 & 18:12)
God made his light shine on us. (Psalm 118:27)
The Light of God
This is no ordinary light!!!
It comes from God himself, hence why it has so much power!!!
God is light; in him there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5) and the unfolding of his words gives light. (Psalm 119:30)
We walk in the light of the Lord (Isaiah 2:5) and the glory of the Lord rises upon us. (Isaiah 60:1)
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:5)
Creation Waits In Eager Anticipation
This same symbiotic relationship of upliftment relates to our relationship with the animals, and in the end, all things are reconciled to God, by making peace. (Colossians 1:20)
The creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God (the children of light) to be revealed.
For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. (Romans 8:19-21)
Wait, what?!
We have a mandate, given to us by God, to liberate creation, which includes the animals, and bring it into the same freedom and glory of the salvation, redemption and covenant blessing that we share in!
The Symbiosis Between Man & Animals
We were designed to help one another in our shared existence, to co-operate in a harmonious dance of mutual benefit.
Benefits of symbiotic relationships for humans from animals include companionship, emotional support, physical health benefits for example reduction of stress, and work and assistance such as herding, pulling carts, pollination or disability support.
Unfortunately, animals are also used as a source of food and other resources such as wool, milk and hides, but this was not God's purpose.
Benefits for animals from humans include protection from predators, provision of food, water and shelter and increased lifespan through veterinary care and improved quality of life.
Symbiosis is the opposite of parasitic or predatory behaviour, where one party feeds off the other, causing harm and eventually death, instead, a symbiotic relationship of upliftment enriches both parties.
Everything With The Breath of Life Was Made To Be Vegan
God designed both man and animals to be vegan, for he gave man every seed-bearing plant and every tree that has fruit with seed in it as food, and to all the animals, everything that has the breath of life in it - he gave every green plant. (Genesis 1:29-30)
God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. (Genesis 1:31)
Both man and animals have the breath of life in them and animals are included in the covenant that God established with all life on the earth (Genesis 9:8-17).
It wasn't until after the fall of man that everything changed, although God does not change (Malachi 3:6), and just because we have the right to do anything, not everything is beneficial. (1 Corinthians 6:12)
Despite our sin, God is always in our midst and not one sparrow is forgotten (Luke 12:6).
The Whole Creation Has Been Groaning
The whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.
Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. (Romans 8:22-23)
God made animals to be man's helpers. (Genesis 2:20)
We were made in God's image and likeness (light) to rule over creation (Genesis 1:26-28).
As stewards of creation, we are supposed to rule with responsibility, respect and righteousness, in the same way that God does, in a relationship of symbiotic upliftment, enrichment and liberation.
We Are Called To Set The Oppressed Free
We are called to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke.
We are to share our food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter - when we see the naked to clothe them, and not to turn away from our own flesh and blood.
Then our light will break forth like the dawn, and our healing will quickly appear; then our righteousness will go before us, and the glory of the Lord will be our rear guard.
Then we will call, and the Lord will answer; we will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. (Isaiah 58:6-7)
The LORD will guide us always; he will satisfy our needs and will strengthen our frame and we will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. (Isaiah 58:11)
At-one-ment
Ultimately, we are called to have the same mindset as Christ (Philippians 2:5) and to make atonement for our sins.
By repenting of our sins we are forgiven, cleansed and purified of our guilt and wrong-doing.
We are to live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. (Ephesians 5:8-10)
This requires us to be at one with everything that is of God, bringing forth the fruit of the Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)
At-one-ment.
No More Suffering
When the Day of the LORD comes, the wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them.
The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox.
The infant will play near the cobra's den, and the young child will put its hand into the viper's nest.
They will neither harm nor destroy on all God's holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea. (Isaiah 11:6-9)
As it was in the beginning, so it will be at the end, as we return to a symbiotic relationship of upliftment, enrichment and at-one-ment, with the whole of creation, and the Creator Himself.
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If you would like to read more, my second blog featuring Kristin & Jay is below, enjoy!
