The New Zealand Moa (Dinomithiformes) apparently became extinct about
200 years ago. The Moa was the tallest bird in the whole world, standing
3 meters tall (10 feet) and weighing in at up to 250 kg (551 pounds)
(That sure was a heavy bird!). It was a forest dweller and an herbivore.
It laid one to two eggs a year with unbelievable dimensions: 240 mm by
178 mm (10 inches by 7 inches) (It sure would have been a huge
omelette!)
The Moa was a peaceful bird with only one predator:
the Haast eagle (Harpagornis Moorei), now also extinct. The Haast eagle
was not a serious threat for the survival of the Moa. The Polynesians
who arrived roughly one thousand years ago sure were. They sure loved
organizing hunting parties, chasing the Moa until those poor birds were
completely exhausted and had no choice but drop to the ground, where
they were slaughtered.
It also didn't help that the colonisation
of this island came with the clearing of forest land by fire. Their
natural habitat was destroyed and even though the Moa tried to adapt to
a new way of living, it didn't have a chance, especially since dogs and
rats were also introduced by the first human inhabitants of that island.
These became predators of the young chicks, with this species having no
hope of recuperating.
The Haast eagle had no hope of survival
either for similar reasons!
But then, that is what happens to all
of God's creation. In a world, where God is not welcome, everything is
"fair game". After all baby Jesus was not only not welcomed, He was also
chased with the sole goal to extinct Him as well! A baby has no chance
in such circumstances, unless God intervenes!
Truly, I have never
found a baby so despised as Jesus has been. He was rejected and hated as
soon as He was born. It is no wonder that we His followers will tend to
have a similar reception! "I have told you these things, so that in me
you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart!
I have overcome the world." (John 16:33, NIV)
The good news
though is that we are not alone. Our Abba is with us and the arrival of
Jesus is a confirmation that God has been on our side all along! We are
immersed by his love, if only we take the time to getting to know Him.
Let us rejoice, we are thoroughtly loved by the One who willingly
came for us to show us the way to true bliss. So loved that it didn't
faze Jesus to face all these trials, as long as He could show His love
for us.
By the way, would you like an omelette?
Rob
Chaffart
Chasen to Perdition. Christmas for the broken-hearted, Part 2
Today's Bible Verse:
"When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a
dream. 'Get up,' he said, 'take the child and his mother and escape to
Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the
child to kill him.'" (Matthew 2:13)
Chasen to Perdition. Christmas for the broken-hearted, Part 2
Announcement:
May we remember those who will be lonely for Christmas. They too long to be loved.
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