On the ninth day of the eighth month in the sixth year of George II, a dream came to me, Mike of Texas, of the house of Russell. This, then, was my dream:

A man appeared to me in my dream and his appearance struck fear into my heart: he had the appearance of a Navy SEAL and his countenance was fierce and grim. I fell to my knees, trembling. He lifted me with his strong right arm and said, ‘Do not fear, for I am here to protect you and warn you, and to show you terrible things that have been done against the Lord and His creation.’

“In my dream, he took me to a zoo where animals from all over the world were housed. ‘Look at the zoo,’ he commanded, ‘and tell me what you see.’ I looked and saw that many of the cages and places for animals were empty, while in many others the animals were sick or dying. And I saw the zoo keepers standing far off. I told the man these things and he said,

“‘You have seen well, for this is indeed the state of the zoo,’ he said sadly. ‘The zoo keepers were placed here to protect, nurture, and cause the animals to prosper but instead the wicked zoo keepers have plundered that which is under their care. They have annihilated many animals, neglected others, and selfishly used the animals for unnecessary luxury or entertainment.’

“Then, in my dream, he took me to high mountain where I could see all the plants and trees in the valley below. Again, the man asked me what I saw.

“‘I see a ravaged land,’ I told him. ‘Where there should be deep forests in which animals and people might dwell, I see only stumps of trees and fallen trees left to rot. The earth appears scorched and unable to bear fruit, and the water is discolored because of what man has done. And far off, I see a vast multitude of people praying and worshipping God. Tell me, sir, what does all this mean?’

“The strong man said, ‘What you have seen is God’s creation marred by the abuse and negligence of man. God placed man in His creation as a steward, to care for and protect all life and all aspects of creation. But this man has not done. Instead, man has declared himself lord over the earth and the animals, and has dealt treacherously and selfishly with creation. And the multitude are those for whom Jesus Christ has died, and who praise God but prey upon God’s creation.’

“‘The day will come,’ said the man, ‘when God will take away man’s stewardship of the earth and give it to another, to One who will faithfully tend it as a shepherd cares for a flock under his care. No longer will animals languish and the whole of creation will rejoice and reflect the glory of God, and the evil man has done will be undone, and the evil man will bear the responsibility for his hateful stewardship of God’s creation. This will surely come to pass.’”

Then I awoke and mourned for creation, and confessed my failure to be a good steward of all that God has entrusted to my care. And I thanked God for His forgiveness, but also repented of my selfish and rebellious attitude toward Him and His commands. And He did forgive and I am forgiven, but still the creation suffers and groans.

Related Posts: Al’s Inconvenient Truth at Broken Messenger; Why I Did Not Go to Church Sunday at Blogotional; “A Plea for Green” at It Takes a Church


2 Cor 1.13