Kicked Down

I found this compelling anecdote in my Courson’s study Bible.  It’s about how a Mama giraffe gives birth.  She does it from a standing position.  Now mind you, standing in that position would place her about ten feet above the ground.  So, when the baby is born, he immediately falls on his head.  Now here’s where it gets fascinating.  After stretching her neck down to check on Baby’s condition, she stands upright once again, swings her front leg, and kicks him.  Baby tries to stand up, wobbles, and falls to the ground in exhaustion.  No sooner does Baby collapse than Mama winds up her leg and kicks him again.   This happens three, four, or five times until Baby finally musters up enough strength—with adrenaline flowing, and terror filling his heart — he finally stands up.

It seems unthinkable to kick an offspring down within the first hours of his life — under any circumstances.  But there is a beautiful maternal point to this exercise (albeit the animal world).  The Mamma giraffe instinctively understands that leopards, lions, hyenas, and jackals are watching the birth of her baby.  And because giraffes are defenseless, they must move together in a pack.  Baby must learn quickly how to stand up and get moving—even if it means getting mad at Mama and not understanding what she’s doing.

So, this brought the following question to my mind:   What plan is at work when our legs are unexpectedly kicked out from under us?

As Christians, we must understand that our Father in heaven sometimes uses hard tactics that we don’t understand to protect us from the unseen attacks of the enemy.  “Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour” (1 Peter 1:5-8).

Failures, disappointments, and tragedy will hit each of us at some point in our lives.  And while our initial kneejerk reaction, like Baby giraffe, is to respond with confusion and uncertainty in the moment.  It is often in hindsight, where we can see the protection God was giving to us during those trying moments.  

  I think of Joseph, who endured years of unjust treatment and imprisonment before realizing that His destiny was in Gods hand and being kicked down was done –not only to protect him from his pride—but also save God’s chosen people from famine.

  Or Moses who was forced to flee for his life from his comfortable life in Pharoah’s court.  He was sent by God to hang out in the desert for forty years before he fulfilled his mission to lead Israel out of slavery.

So, while it may not seem like being knocked down is a good thing, just know that you are in the same company as David, Peter, Samson and many others.

Our Savior Jesus took the greatest of all falls for the benefit of mankind and it was sent by and in agreement with His Father. “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” ( Hebrews 12:2).

I have personally felt the comfort of Psalm 95:18-19 when I lost my footing during intense trials:  “When I thought, My foot is slipping, Your steadfast love, O Lord held me up.  When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.”

God sends tribulations to humble us, remind us of our limitations, and make us more willing to depend on Him. And sometimes it is simply for our protection from whatever may be hiding in the bushes.   And that’s why I love my Jehovah Roi—the God who sees.