“The righteous care for the needs of their animals, but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.” Proverbs 12:10 (NIV)
One of my neighbors leads a large animal rescue organization. Through the efforts of many dedicated volunteers and donors, that organization saves the lives of thousands of cats and dogs every year. Some of those animals were mistreated in heartbreaking ways before they were rescued. I cry when I think about the cruel suffering that some people inflicted on those loving creatures. But I rejoice when I see how the organization’s volunteers are caring for the cats and dogs with great kindness. Even those who may not get adopted – such as older animals, and those with medical conditions – experience great love in their foster homes with loving volunteers.
I support the organization’s work because animals are important. Animals are ambassadors of God’s compassion and kindness to us. They not only show us those qualities, but they also give us opportunities to show compassion and kindness to them. That’s incredibly important, because both compassion and kindness flow from love, and nothing is more important to God than love. God’s nature is love (1 John 4:8 and 1 John 4:16) and Jesus tells us that the most important commandments are to love God and to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39).
When we observe animals, we witness compassionate love in action. They provide for one another, protect their young, and even form unlikely friendships across species boundaries. Their instinctual compassion serves as a powerful reminder of our own call to love and care for one another. Cats and dogs – the animals that we often choose as pets – show compassion well. Consider the nurturing care of a cat snuggling with a senior citizen, providing vital companionship and unconditional love. Or consider the loyalty of a family dog playing with children, willing to do whatever tricks they teach it to do, out of steadfast devotion. These acts of compassion resonate in our souls because they show us love in action.
Animals not only embody compassion but model kindness in their relationships with each other and with humans. Their examples serve as gentle reminders of our responsibility to treat all creatures with care and respect. As stewards of God’s creation (Genesis 1:26-28), it is our duty to ensure the well-being of every living being under our care.
In Proverbs 12:10, God calls us to care well for animals. We can do so by recognizing their inherent worth and dignity as fellow creatures of God.
That involves following ethical practices for the animals in our lives. This includes providing good shelter, nutrition, and medical care for pets, as well as respecting the natural habitats of wild animals. Whether it be through simple acts of petting a stray cat, feeding birds in our backyard, or volunteering at an animal shelter or sanctuary, we can care well for God’s creatures. We can also advocate for animal rights and welfare by supporting organizations and initiatives dedicated to protecting animals from cruelty and exploitation. Whether through participating in rescue efforts or raising awareness about issues such as animal testing and habitat destruction, we can be proactive in standing up for those who can’t speak for themselves.
Let’s also be mindful of the impact of our actions on our planet’s ecosystems that support animals. By adopting sustainable practices and reducing our carbon footprint, we can help protect the habitats of countless animals. Through small yet meaningful changes in our lifestyle choices, we can contribute to the well-being of animals and the preservation of God’s creation for future generations to enjoy.
As we work to care well for animals, let’s look to the example that Jesus sets for us. We can see in the Bible how Jesus showed love to animals during his earthly ministry, and he also spoke of God’s care for every creature – even tiny creatures like sparrows. Just like Jesus, let’s be kind to every living being we encounter. Let’s be among the righteous who care for the needs of animals and people alike.
Dear God, Creator of all living things, thank you for the gift of animals and the lessons they teach me about compassion and kindness. Help me to be a faithful steward of your creation, caring for the needs of every creature with compassion and kindness. Give me the wisdom and strength to advocate for the welfare of animals. Let your love flow through my life into the lives of the animals in our world. Thank you for your great love for me and every part of your creation. I love you, God. Amen.
Photo Credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Eva Blanco
Whitney Hopler helps people discover God's wonder and experience awe. She is the author of several books, including the nonfiction books Wake Up to Wonder and Wonder Through the Year: A Daily Devotional for Every Year, and the young adult novel Dream Factory. Whitney has served as an editor at leading media organizations, including Crosswalk.com, The Salvation Army USA’s national publications, and Dotdash.com (where she produced a popular channel on angels and miracles). She currently leads the communications work at George Mason University’s Center for the Advancement of Well-Being. Connect with Whitney on her website at www.whitneyhopler.com, on Facebook, and on X/Twitter.
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