I will never forget returning from a short break in Guernsey early in 2001. We drove off the ferry in Weymouth and on the car radio I heard about an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease. Some of you may remember the things that followed. Farmed and hobby livestock, wild animals and domesticated; anything with a cloven hoof was at risk from a disease which swept through this country.
During the worst of the slaughtering and movement restrictions, Uncle Mark reminded me of God’s comment, recorded in Psalm 50 in the context of animal sacrifices: [Psalm 50:9-10] ‘I have no need of a bull from your stall or of goats from your pens, for every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills’.
One evening recently I was reminded of these words again when I had to depart from the path to avoid a couple of animals that were quite content where they were, unafraid of me, and disinclined to move. As I arrived last obviously I had to make the detour; that seemed fair enough.
We cannot muster a hill in Framlingham but I get the Psalmist’s point. The cattle that graze the Mere area in the summer are all part of maintaining a precious ecosystem, part of the way things work, part of God’s complex design. Why should I disturb their evening?
It is at times like this when I realise that solitary walks are never solitary. What made the words of the psalm come into my head on this occasion? Why did that inspire this…was God there too? I rather think so.
A prayer
Lord, help me to make less of my own mark and be more aware of the marks of your presence as I live, and move. Grant me sufficient peace to enable me to fit in with what is around when all is well and there is no need for disturbance. May the tranquil times recharge me for the times when energy is required and intervention is called for to meet needs and make points for you. Jesus went to be alone and talked to crowds; I pray that you will help me balance my life for his sake,
Amen.