As usual, the
gorilla exhibit at the San Diego Zoo was teeming with people when we entered
the enclosure on a busy Saturday afternoon. The cave-like dwelling offered
welcome relief from the hot sun. The benches in front of the glass windows were
full of parents and children who were talking and laughing as they watched the
huge beasts swinging from the trees, grooming each other, or romping around.
The adult gorillas played with the youngsters.
Suddenly, I
realized our 5-year-old granddaughter was no longer right in front of us. I
heard her voice before I saw her. She was sitting cross-legged on the ground
right in front of the glass-enclosed area for the gorillas — out of harm’s way
— and reading a picture book. No doubt she needed a break from the crowds, the
walking, and the sun. And as I watched, one of the giant gorillas lumbered over
and sat down right in front of the glass and faced our little one, carefully
watching her. Unafraid, she continued to read, going a bit slower, reading a
bit louder and holding the book up to show each picture to the gorilla who
seemed to be interested! Soon a crowd gathered around her and the noise level
in the enclosure disappeared and all that could be heard was the voice of a
little girl, giving attention –– giving a sacred space –– to one of God’s
creatures. As the story ended, there was a moment of silence and a stillness in
the area.
One had to
wonder: What was the gorilla doing? Was he thinking? And then came the
realization that it didn’t really matter. The child and the enormous ape had
made a connection, thereby connecting us all. —Melanie Silva
[Matthew 6:21]
A law of nature that mankind has been bound by since the beginning of time is
gravity. Sure, man has gone into space and experienced weightlessness, but the
rule remains that what goes up must come down. The principle can be applied to
what goes into our minds as well. In other words, what goes in must come out.
Jesus said something similar to this; “For where your treasure is, there your
heart will be also.” If we fill our mind with the things of this world, soon
our actions will show our heart is not set on things above. The apostle Paul
wrote, “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above,
where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things
above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:1-2). As followers of Christ,
we must be cautious of what we allow to enter our minds. If we are constantly
around negative people, they will soon rub off on us, and our minds will be
transformed into negative thinking. Paul wrote, “And do not be conformed to
this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove
what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2). Paul
understood that we can be conformed to the world by things we watch, listen to,
read, participate in, and the people we associate with.
When James
wrote about taming the tongue, he described it as “a fire” (James 3:6). He
recognized, “But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of
deadly poison” (James 3:8). Where does this fire get its fuel? Our speech
strongly reflects the things we put into our minds. One is more likely to allow
bad language to ooze into one’s vocabulary if one permits it into their mind.
It may be a gradual progression we do not recognize has happened. It may get to
a point that, “With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men,
who have been made in the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed
blessings and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not be so” (James
3:9-10). What goes up must come down - what goes in must come out. Share your
love and others listen.
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