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For three years, Dr. George Schaller stalked lions on the Serengeti as they stalked their prey. His observations were cataloged in a book so everyone could learn about African lions.
But one incident he witnessed should help Christians learn about another “lion,” the devil.
Dr. Schaller ventured to Africa in June of 1966 and, with the exception of a month-long trip to India, stayed there until September of 1969 studying the mighty panthera leo, the African lion. He observed every aspect of their existence, from mating to hunting, and much more. Unsurprisingly, as a byproduct of his studies, Dr. Schaller learned quite a bit about the various animals that lions prey upon, as well.
One of the most intriguing lessons came from an episode observing gazelles. Given the vast stretches of unforgiving wilderness in which these frail animals existed, Dr. Schaller assumed that gazelles would go to great lengths to avoid predators such as lions. But that wasn’t the case at all.
For example, one morning Dr. Schaller was observing four lionesses in an area of high grass when a group of 10 gazelles unwittingly meandered by. The unsuspecting herd was an irresistible target, so the females pounced on the gazelles, catching one and killing it. Dust was churned. The sounds of a life-and-death struggle echoed across the plains. The smell of blood permeated the field. And the lions enjoyed the taste of victory.
And then, quite shockingly, in spite of the sights, sounds, and smells of death, 53 gazelles from the same herd walked into the same grassy area where their mate was being digested just one hour later! Unaware – or unconcerned – by the danger lurking in the grass, the herd walked too close to the lions prompting the deadly cats to yet another vicious attack. Miraculously, the herd of fleet-footed gazelles scattered in every direction and managed to elude the terrifying hunters.
Amazed, the world-renowned biologist thought that after the second onslaught, the meek gazelles would surely avoid this patch of grass for the rest of the day. Or maybe for the rest of their lives.
But he was wrong.
Not half-an-hour later, 43 of the same gazelles who’d just had a brush with death circled back to the same patch of grass a third time! And for a third time, the lionesses rained merciless ferocity down upon the gazelles.
Why didn’t the gazelles avoid that spot? Why did they keep returning to the valley of the shadow of death? Are gazelles that forgetful? Do they just enjoy running for their lives? Why don’t they avoid the lions they know are there?
Perhaps a better question is, “Why don’t we avoid the lion that hunts us?” In 1 Peter 5:8, the wise apostle warns us to, “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” Yet, so many of us meander about, seemingly unaware of the impending destruction.
Do you know what a gazelle is called who ignores the lion? Lunch.
Do you know what a person is called who misrepresents himself to the IRS? A cheater.
Do you know what a person is called who crosses the line with a married man? An adulterer.
Do you know what a person is called who doesn’t speak the truth? A liar.
Do you know what a person is called who takes that which is not theirs? A thief.
Do you know what a person is called who trades God for someone or something? An idolater.
We need to learn a life-saving lesson: it’s too costly to ignore the lion.
Resource’s Origin:
The Serengeti Lion: A Study of Predator-Prey Relations by George B. Schaller. The University of Chicago Press, 1972, Pages 235-236.
Topics Illustrated Include:
Africa
Animals
Consequences
Death
Devil
Learn
Lesson
Research
Satan
Sin
Stupidity
Temptation
(Resource cataloged by David R Smith)
