Dr. Vincent Hefner

What’s Up with “Think About It”

By Dr. Vince Hefner, Pastor

First Baptist Church, Cherryville, NC

I have always been an animal lover. You name it and I have tried to make a pet out of it. When I was a kid I caught birds, squirrels, snakes, fish, crawdads, rabbits, frogs, lighting bugs, honey bees, and anything else that I could coax into a box, bottle, or sack. It took a while but I learned some things were never intended to be domesticated, so I turned my attention to dogs and cats. We now have a few cats that live with us at the house. I don’t believe you ever “own” a cat they just stay with you like a roommate. As long as you buy the food and give them a place to sleep, they will generally stick around and watch you cut the grass, wash the clothes, cook supper, and vacuum the carpet. I’m not saying that cats are completely worthless, but they do not tell you if someone is at the front door or if the house is on fire. However, my cats are good at sitting in your lap if you are sick, and they are good company as long as you pet them and tell them how good they look. Besides that, my cats lay around the house and sleep.

Don’t misunderstand me, I love my cats, but they don’t contribute a great deal to the family circle. All of this changed a few mornings ago. My daughter’s cat, Simba Roanie wanted to go into the basement. My wife opened the basement door and he wandered downstairs. I’m not sure how much time elapsed before he reemerged with a “gift” for us. My wife began to yell for me to come and see what Simba had brought with him from the basement. I figured it was a baseball glove or a figurine he had found in a box. Just to let you know, Simba is the most laid back cat that lives with us. I’m not saying he is lazy, but he is never in a hurry to get anywhere. He is a beautiful cat with the personality of someone who doesn’t have a care in the world. Sometimes I envy him. With all of that being said, I have never considered him useful, until that morning when I walked into the living room and saw for myself what he had brought upstairs. It was a dead snake! I have had cats bring me “trophies” from the outside, but I have never had a cat bring me something from my basement, much less a snake! I have always bragged on my cats when they bring some critter to the doorstep, but I really, honestly thanked that cat for killing that snake! I told him he was wonderful and a great hunter with the courage of a Spartan soldier. He looked at me as though he was agreeing with me while I piled on the compliments. Then I remembered all the times I told him he was only good for laying around and taking up space and I had to apologize for my short sightedness in believing he was just for looks and didn’t have a talent or purpose to offer the world. Eventually, I took the snake outside after I had run out of adjectives to describe Simba the “Great Hunter.” 

The early morning event made me rethink a few things about life. First, watch my step when I walk down into the basement. Second, everybody likes a kind word when they do something good, even a cat. Third, sooner or later, everything will act according to its nature. Even a domesticated cat will act like a predator when the situation presents itself. 1 Peter 1:4 says, “And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.”  What nature do you display to your family and friends? Make sure Jesus is Lord of your life to enable you to share in His divine nature to honor Him with all that you say and do! Divine nature should be expected from the Christian and the world needs to see Jesus in us. Remember, don’t give in to sin. Think about it!