We came upon this baby Thompson Gazelle on Safari in Kenya this summer. As you can see, it is freshly born. I was overwhelmed by its vulnerability in its environment. They are born to be able to stand and walk, but as a newborn and sensing danger (you’ll note it’s literally on the dirt road), all it could do was lie in place and hope that no predator saw it. We had just seen cheetahs and no doubt other predators of all shapes and sizes were around.
In one way we are born into this world even more vulnerable than this gazelle, We are fully reliant on others to care for and protect us for years. We survive not because of our own skill set, but because of family and community. As I think of our journey as individuals, versus as a community, I am humbled to realize how vulnerable the strongest of us are in our lives.
It is my understanding of grace that I cannot add an ounce of direction to my own salvation through my actions, but I can do a tremendous amount for others. As we face a time where we are once again wearing masks, I know that I wear a mask again less for me and more for others. I am still vulnerable, but I direct my anxiety to a world that needs me working for others. Join me in casting our eye out for the vulnerable. Let’s consider how we can be a gift to our neighbor.
