The lion walked only a few feet in front of me. Every instinct told me to keep my distance, yet there I was, matching its pace along a dusty trail in Zambia. For a moment, fear gave way to wonder, and one thought filled my mind: Is this what God originally intended for his creation? I paused as I thought about this from a new perspective.
Then the fear gripped my heart, and my hands trembled as I stood next to the beast that could kill me in an instant. As I looked down, the lion yawned and closed its eyes, giving me a sense of peace in the situation. I put my fear aside and reached out and stroked its coarse back, still amazed that something so powerful could be so calm. The lion relaxed, and so did I.
Long after the walk ended, I couldn’t stop thinking about what I had experienced. We also had time to walk near a pair of white rhinos on a different day during the trip. As I watched the lion walk beside us, Isaiah 11:6 came into my mind. For just a moment, I glimpsed the harmony God intended from the very beginning.
“The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them.” Isaiah 11:6 (NIV).
This verse in Isaiah speaks of the future when Christ returns again. Many see this as a physical promise of a future earth under the reign of the Messiah, where everything changes back to the way God envisioned the Garden of Eden before sin entered the picture.
The Garden of Eden Perspective
The first home God created for mankind was the Garden of Eden. God created this perfect paradise where no death or decay existed and everything lived in harmony. Animals did not destroy or hurt one another, and humans lived in peace with the animals. There was no discrimination or hatred, nor power struggles for control. God walked with Adam and Eve in tranquility. Then sin slithered in and destroyed the peace, broke all the relationships, and left us with the world we experience today.
Today’s Perspective
That peaceful walk lasted only a short time. Outside the preserve, the reality of our broken world remained. Lions still hunt. Nations still fight. Relationships still fracture under the weight of sin. Creation continues to groan, waiting for the day God makes all things new. Our world is far from the paradise God created all those years ago for Adam and Eve. But that simple walk with the lions gave me hope for the future world God planned for his people.
Future Perspective
Sometimes we picture Heaven as an endless worship service, but Scripture paints a much richer picture of renewed creation, restored relationships, and perfect fellowship with God. Scripture gives us a glimpse of the new heavens and new earth that is a restored creation, God’s original design on display. A place where we walk and talk with Christ. Peace is everywhere, death is gone, and all humanity gets along with one another. Isaiah’s vision paints a beautiful picture of restored creation where peace extends throughout God’s world, even among the animals.
Heaven
That walk with the lions lasted only a few minutes, but the hope it stirred in my heart continues today. Every glimpse of God’s creation reminds me that this broken world is not the end of the story. One day Christ will make all things new, and we will finally experience the peace He intended from the very beginning.
Every glimpse of God’s beauty in this broken world points us toward the greater beauty still to come. One day fear will give way to perfect peace, brokenness will give way to restoration, and we will walk with our Savior in the world He intended from the beginning. Until then, may every reminder of His creation lift our eyes toward Heaven and fill our hearts with hope.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, when life feels heavy, and this broken world leaves me weary, lift my eyes to the hope you’ve promised. Thank you for the glimpses of your beauty and peace that you allow us to experience even now. Help me remember that one day You will make all things new. Until then, strengthen my faith, deepen my trust, and help me live with eternity in view. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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Grace and Peace to you,
Yvonne M. Morgan is a Christian #author, #blogger, and #speaker. #BibleGatewayPartner
Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
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I enjoyed seeing photos from your trip. What an experience to be near those magnificent animals! God’s creations are amazing. 🙂 Blessings.
Thanks Melissa. They are such amazing creatures. I love being in God’s creation. I feel closer to Him. Blessings
It’s almost hard for me to imagine the experience you had because, well, it was a lion! Thank you, Yvonne, for your heart that looks Godward in your adventures. I imagine Daniel’s experience in the lions den was similar in that the lions were calm and not at all ferocious like we know them to be. How amazing it will be to walk in paradise without the fears that we now have.
Thanks Stephen. I love how God gives me stories from my adventures. It’s a blessing. I wonder if Daniel got to pet the lions in the den I know I would at least try, 😂. Blessings.
I enjoyed your blog. I found it to be very soothing. Your courage in walking with the lion and then stroking it is very admirable.
Thanks so much June. God can teach us so much through nature. God bless you.
When you first posted the pictures of you and the lions I was amazed and envious. What an awesome experience! I’m so glad you’ve written about it now. My thoughts when I first saw the pictures focused on the beauty of that moment, when humankind and a powerful animal coexisted in peace and friendship. Thank you for sharing this blessinng with us.
Thanks Katherine. Sometimes, I like to ponder a situation or event before I write about it. It was a beautiful moment that we will all experience someday in our heavenly home. Blessings
Absolutely breathtaking! We are without excuse — that is for sure and certain! What a marvelous world the LORD has created!
Amen Jennifer. Blessings
Wow, Yvonne. Such an amazing intro story. And I like the perspectives you give here. The new heaven and new earth are sure to be the paradise God meant for us to have all along. Amen to this, “Every glimpse of God’s beauty in this broken world points us toward the greater beauty still to come.”
It will be amazing to see someday. Thanks Karen. I appreciate you. Blessings
WOW! I think I would have been trembling, and yet I’d love to pet one of those amazing beasts. Thanks for sharing your experience. Imagine what Eden was like. I can’t wait for God to restore His creation. Reminds me of: “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God” (Rom. 8:18-21 NIV).
That a great verse to hold onto because it will be glorious. We have so many glimpses when we look around at God’s creation. Thanks Debbie and God bless.
Wow, Yvonne! I got to do something similar 14 years ago in Zimbabwe, and your description brought me right back! There’s a certain serenity that comes when you set your fear aside and put your trust in the Lord. What an amazing and beautiful thing! Great reflection.
Thanks Jessica. You’re right, peace comes through giving our fears to God and trusting Him. And He blesses us with amazing opportunities. Blessings