Did you know that a mother giraffe gives birth while standing up? So, the very first thing that happens to a baby giraffe, is that it falls 2 meters or approximately 6.5 feet. This also ruptures and breaks the "cord" between mother and child. The mother giraffe then lowers her long neck, long enough to take a brief look.
Still dazed and disoriented the baby will try to stand, however mom, does the unthinkable: she gives her baby giraffe a mild and disciplined kick, which sends her baby floundering and falling to the ground again. When the baby tries to get up again, mom gives another kick which knocks the baby down once more.
This happens over and over, until the newborn giraffe is too exhausted to stand. So now that it is resting... what does mom do? Yes, she kicks it again, forcing the baby to get up on its feet. Once up, she stops kicking and cleans her baby.
The explanation: For a giraffe to survive predators, "its first lesson must be, to learn to quickly get to its feet!" A baby giraffe learns it needs to stay with its herd, where there is safety from lions, hyenas and leopards. The babies predators would hastily kill and eat the newborn if mom didn't teach the calf to get up quickly.
We all have felt discouraged at times, by the trials and afflictions we face. And, when trial after trial seems to knock us down... it is not always easy to "quickly, get back up!" Just as the mother giraffe rudely introduced her offspring to the reality of life, we face that reality in our adversities!
The trials of life can send us whirling at times. I know that I have been knocked down many times and there have been times when I thought I would never get up again! "I am too tired," "I can not take any more pain," or "I don't know what to do any longer!"
Well, I am not the first or the last person, that will have days where self pity sets in and we ask, "Why God, Why?" So, what do we do at this particular time in our life? Well, first we must know that just as the mother took a brief look at her calf, God is always right by our side! This is the time we need to "flood" our lives with prayer and God's Holy Word!
God used many great men, who suffered plenty of difficulties! Joseph comes to my mind as just one of these men. If we look in Genesis, we learn that he was almost murdered by his own brothers and consequently sold into slavery. He was also wrongly accused and went to prison.
However, Joseph had faith and was a great example, despite his circumstances. He found favor in the sight of the jail keeper and those around him. Joseph's trials could have easily and maybe even justifiably... made him bitter and angry. Instead, Joseph in a truly "Christ like" manner and with joy, served others!
Like the baby giraffe, who repeatedly got knocked down and then got up again, "Joseph got back up each and every time!" Joseph developed a pliable and a servants heart, therefore, God was able to use him. He became a great leader and he saved his family and a nation from famine.
When his brothers came to Egypt to buy food, Joseph was second in command. He was able to look at his brothers and hold no evil towards them. In fact he said to them, "And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance." Genesis 45:7
We need to remember, Joseph was human, he was just like you and me. I'm sure he must have had questions for God and he may have even wondered about his child-hood dreams. Joseph probably wondered, "why" and "where" God was, as he sat in a cold, dark prison. Had God abandoned Joseph??
Joseph struggled, just as many of us do. However, God was with Joseph the entire time, He never left or abandoned Joseph, although I'm not so sure Joseph felt or knew that, at the time. God was able to save a nation through Joseph's struggles.
We must "keep getting up" and we must "trust God and serve" in times of adversity! Joseph did not give up and he was used intensely and exceptionally by God. So, my friend as we walk through our trials, we must know that God is allowing them for not only our good... but for the good of others!
I will be honest and tell you, some of my days are so painful that I don't particularly want to do anything. When the pain in my head is unyielding... I don't always want to "blog." Yet, I know, this is one way I hopefully, can still serve the Lord.
Are you willing to let God use you... His way?