Beavers have a huge effect on the environment they live in. As most of us know, beavers cut down trees to build large homes, known as dams. These dams turn streams and rivers into ponds which flood the neighboring trees and enlarge the beaver’s habitat. New species of duck arrive that use the pond as the perfect environment to raise their young. Frogs and insects lay their eggs along the new nooks and crannies created along the waters edge. Great Blue Herons move in to feed on the new frogs. Even when beavers leave and the dams break, their presence is still felt. As the water is released from the pond, a beaver meadow emerges which is usually very fertile and provides life for new plants and species. It’s easy to see the positive impact beavers have on their environment.
As a result of this impact, biologists have named beavers a keystone species, which is an animal that has a disproportionately large effect on its environment relative to its population size. Without these species, the ecosystem would be dramatically different.
Humans, like beavers, also have a profound effect on the environment around us. We build homes, roads and cities. We blow holes through mountains for our tunnels and create massive craters to obtain elements from within the earth’s crust. More subtly, but arguably more importantly, we affect the environment with our attitudes and perspectives.
I believe that as followers of Jesus, we are meant to be like the beaver, a keystone species! We all have the capacity to not only change our present environment, but also to make lasting impacts on our surrounding world. Our actions and our attitudes are influential. When we, followers of Jesus, are engaged in difficult work environments or frustrating family situations, those circumstances can change for the better because of what we can bring to the table. Instead of bringing anger, we can bring understanding and peace. Instead of responding in fear, we can choose to respond with love. Instead of being paralyzed with the problem at hand, we can work together to develop solutions to solve the issue. It’s not automatic, but we all have the capability to choose to make the environment better for everyone!
Think about your family life, your work place or a community you may belong to. What kind of impact are you making in your work place? Is your family blessed by your presence? Does your team benefit from your participation? It’s clear that if you removed the beaver from it’s ecosystem, the entire ecosystem would notice the change. So, if you disappeared, would anyone notice your absence?
Whatever answers you find to the questions above, be encouraged–there is grace! Come to God with those answers and ask Him to change your heart so that you are a blessing to your family, work place and community. Then ask him for the courage to help you walk out that change!
Be blessed.
Want to connect with God in the day to day? Click the menu at the top and enter your email for weekly fingerprintss devotionals!
fingerprintss 