We are told in Genesis
that we (humankind) are to have dominion over all of the animals. We are
created in God's image. We know that God is love. Since we are
created in God’s image should we not be a reflection of love. Therefor we should love not only each other
but all of creation.
The sad part is that we
have done a lot of damage over the years to God’s creation. We have killed animals to the point that they
have become extinct. We have destroyed
land that was occupied by animals. We
have taken creation and turned it upside down.
Instead of showing love we have become those that use creation and
manipulate it and cause major destruction to the planet God has given to us.
I want us to remember
that even when God covered all the Earth with water the animals were given a
safe place. Just like Noah and his
family the animals were gathered together so that they may have a place to
avoid the floods damage. They traveled
with Noah and they were treated as treasures. When the boat finally rested on the mount the
animals were released from the ark. Both
humankind and animals were able to procreate and fill the Earth again with love
God knew that we would
need companions in our life. Many people
have special pets that fill that need for companionship. They treat them like their children. They go out of their way to give them
love. They give them immunizations shots,
special food, and other medical procedures to keep their pets healthy.
Some Christians will say
that animals do not go to Heaven. Their
reason is that they believe animals have no souls. They believe that only people go to Heaven
because we have a soul. We have the opportunity
to accept Jesus in our life. Humans are
believed to be the only creatures on the Earth that understand the difference
between sinning and not sinning.
Others believe that all
animals especially pets go to Heaven. They
believe this because of the different emotions that animal’s exhibit. Our pets return our love. Not only do they return our love but they do
it unconditionally. They put their trust
in us that we will provide all their needs.
Animals will show sadness at death of other animals or owners.
They get upset when we leave them. They show happiness when we return.
These two sides have
battled each other for a long time.
People that think their pets do not go to Heaven usually do not consider
their pets the same way that those thinking they will go to Heaven
respond. If you don’t believe pets go to
Heaven you will have a hard time when they see people tore up because of a loss
of a pet. They can’t understand how
someone would feel that way about a pet.
Those that think the pets go to Heaven cannot comprehend when people do
not show a lot of emotion when they pass away.
I propose that these two
sides come to a common ground. We need
to recognize that all people are created in the image of God filled with love with
that we can come to a compassionate understanding of other people. What does it hurt if someone thinks their
beloved pet goes to Heaven? We can come
to understand that it isn’t a debate over if pets or going to Heaven instead it
is an acceptance of people’s love.
We also can go one step
further. We can come to an understanding
that we need to start treating animals with passion. We can learn that destroying the habitat of animals
kills off the creatures God saved on the arc.
Imagine how the world would be if we showed love to each other and to
the Earth we live on.
Accepting that we have
to care about the earth will change our attitude. It isn’t all about what we can have or want
to have. Instead we can understand that
the planet needs to be taken care of. We
have to take responsibility to ensure that the creatures of this world can live
in peace and harmony. We have to
remember that we are the caregivers of God’s creation.
The next time you meet someone
that has lost their pet allows them to grieve the way they need to grieve. Some will be very upset because their beloved
pet has passed away. They may feel in
their heart that they will one date meet their pet in the next life. Others may
grieve in a much different way. Allow them to have this grieving mechanism.
We have to remember none
of us for certain know where our beloved pets will go when they pass on. I think back to the movie “All Dogs Go to
Heaven” and how it helps children when their pets pass away. It isn’t giving them false hope it is just
letting know that they can be sad but their pet is safe. We have to understand that this is important
to anyone that has lost someone or a pet.
We need to know that they are heading to a much better place. Once we can accept that we can start to heal
in the grieving process.
Written in remembrance of Karma you will
always be loved and missed.
