Look Out Buffalo! White Man is Coming!

by | May 21, 2006 | Choices, Freedom, Self-Worth

While hiking around the Carolyn Sifton trail, an enjoyable two-kilometer walk at the Fort Whyte Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, my family and I were not only able to watch a herd of Buffalo, but we also had the pleasure of discovering a number of interesting facts about this fascinating animal.

It has been estimated that when white man first discovered America, there were between 27 million and 100 million buffalo on the American and Canadian prairies. By 1889, there were less than a thousand!

What happened to precipitate this near-disappearance of such a huge animal?

Before Europeans arrived on this continent, Indians were the primary natural predator of the Buffalo. They used these creatures for food, for decoration, for clothing, for their dwellings … Every part of the animal was used. Without the buffalo, they would not have survived; and their sole purpose for hunting the animal was for their own survival.

White men hunted buffalo for very different reasons. These included the following:

1. For its fur and tongue (venison).

Buffalo fur was a source of great income, and Buffalo tongue was considered a great delicacy. After taking these two body parts, white hunters were known to leave entire carcasses rotting on the prairie.

2. For the fun of hunting.

Men with riffles on horse-back made a sport of hunting the buffalo.

3. To control Indians through hunger, and to force them into reserves.

The government encouraged the large-scale killing of these animals. They were well aware that without the buffalo, the Indians would be forced to depend on the white man for survival. With the buffalo gone, they would be easily herded onto the reserves.

4. During the construction of the railroad, buffalo meat was used as a cheap way to feed foreign workers.

In other words the near extinction of this animal was solely for money, sport and the manipulation of the indigenous populations of Canada and the United States. Nowadays, thanks to state and provincial parks such as Fort Whyte Centre, the buffalo population has increased merely to the 300,000 mark.

I know of only one other being whose sole purpose of existence is to destroy: “The thief (referring to the devil) comes only to steal and kill and destroy…” (John 10:10 NIV)

The devil succeeded in bringing all of humanity into slavery by addicting them to sin, which ultimately resulted in death: “For the wages of sin is death.” (Rom 6:23 NIV)

He has no good intentions towards any human being. However the second part of John 10:10, as well as Rom 6:23 bring us some terrific news: “…I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10 NIV); and “…but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom 6:23 NIV).

Mankind was destined for complete annihilation before God, in His mercy, stopped the process. However, the price was costly: “Since the children have flesh and blood, he (Jesus) too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death-that is, the devil- and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.” (Heb 2:14-15 NIV)

Freedom and eternal survival is yours! All you need to do is accept God’s offer of freedom. You no longer need to be slaves to sin. You can be free from addictions! God has paid the price for you, no matter how horrible your past might seem. Will you accept this freedom?

The Buffalo is once again grazing the prairie grasslands in America, free of fear of hunting expeditions, safe within the protective boundaries of hundreds of state and provincial parks and reserves. Freedom can be yours as well. It’s your choice. Don’t believe what the destroyer of your soul suggests in your mind: “You are worthless! God will never forgive you nor free you from your past.” This is a lie from the father of lies (see John 8:44). You are so important to God that Jesus willingly died for you so that you could have the opportunity to experience eternal freedom. It is yours if you just believe and accept His offer. He loves you!

The choice is yours.

Rob Chaffart

Post

Look Out Buffalo! White Man is Coming!

Topics

Series

Archives