Jesus talked in stories and parables. Sometimes I want to be, just like him…
A Lizard’s Tale
Eli was just a normal lizard, in fact, he felt he was too normal. He was just average. Physically, he looked just like all his brothers, sisters, and cousins. Except for size, they all looked pretty much the same. Each had four feet with claws and their skin was hard and scaly. Their blood was cold, but this made them adapt to living in both hot and cold temperatures very easily. Some of his cousins could change colors easily and would blend right into their background.
Yes, Eli knew he was normal, but he believed he had a great destiny. His cousins did not share his view of himself. They often laughed when Eli talked of his big plans.
“Where did you ever come up with these grand ideas?” they would ask.
Eli responded, “From my maker.”
To which his cousins would become even more sarcastic.
“Have you ever seen him?” they taunted him. “Do you even know what he looks like?”
Others snickered as they whispered to one another, “He doesn’t know about the birds and the bees yet.”
Unmoved Eli replied, “I have never seen him, and I don’t know what he looks like. But I do know what He sounds like when he talks with me.”
This made one cousin even more cynical, “Oh, He talks to you…are you hearing voices again?”
Eli interrupted before he went any further, “Not voices, just one voice.” Then he added, “would you like me to teach you how to hear him?”
Taunting in unison, they all begin to chant.
“Eli, Eli so small and bright Thinks he’s doing what is right Eli, Eli someday you will see a big somebody, you'll never be”
But Eli did not respond to their songs nor their talk, for he was resolute in what he had heard. It was just 4 months ago when he had gone for a walk among the plants after a spring rain. He loved the freshness of smells and tasting the clean water that lay puddled on leaves and flower pedals. On this particular day, the sun was shining so clearly and seemed to be calling him to stay and bask in its sunlight.
He sang softly to himself,
“Lovely day when it rains, makes me think of God’s ways, the beauty He’s made, we each enjoy.
I’ll run and sing, jump and dance, all because I am a boy.”
As he was trying hard to make up with another verse, he heard this still small voice. Not audible, but strong enough he could not deny that it was not just his own thoughts.
“Eli, I love you. I will honor you as you have honored me,” said God.
“But I am just a little lizard. I cannot run fast or do anything spectacular or famous. How could you use me?” responded Eli.
God continued, “I just want you to remember, that I have something very special for you to do.”
Eli felt all peaceful inside. He had just heard from his maker. In his youthful zeal, Eli made no small commotion sharing how God had a special plan for him.
At first, others were interested in Eli’s story, because they did not know anyone who had ever talked with God. But when, he said it was not audible, they became less interested. When some were unable to hear God for themselves, they became even less convinced that God had spoken to Eli. They surmised, “Maybe God just got everything started in creation and them removed himself to just let it all happen.” They doubted, but Eli knew that God was real, and that God had indeed, spoken to him.
As springtime approached the lizards were given much more freedom to move around for exercise and to find food. Most enjoyed eating insects and playing hide and seek to see who was best at camouflaging. Eli seemed to win the most times at blending in and he was happy to be the best at something.
The garden area in which they lived grew larger and more beautiful each year. The humans took great care over the vegetation and trees, and they appeared to enjoy its beauty. All lizards knew how to hide when the humans came. Even though the lizards could not hurt the humans, they felt that most humans were uncomfortable with a lizard who got too close to them.
Eli was becoming bolder in his ability to “blend in.” He practiced on trees, leaves, rocks and even on the side of buildings. Except for the occasional head bobbing or push-ups that he felt compelled to do, he would remain incredibly still to “mask” himself. One person after another would walk right by Eli, and never notice him.
The other lizards warned him not to become to brave. They had all heard stories of the abuse the lizards had received from the capture by children. Some came back with tails broken off and others never returned. Of those who did return, they were never the same. The encounter brought so much pain to these returned lizards, that they moved slower and slower and traveled less and less.
Eli did not take heed to their warnings; he was brave and could see many opportunities within the walls of the building. Food for lizards was abundant withing the human walls. He saw many flies entering the building. Maybe he could show the others the good possibility of unlimited food supply.
One day, he climbed through a window and watched the hustle and bustle of the humans below. Many people were coming and going. Most of the activity centered around one individual. People would come to him, talk for a few moments, and then leave. Repeatedly, others would come and talk with this man and then leave. Some brought him food and drink. This made Eli personally interested as he saw flies beginning to gather around the food
Every move he made was slow and calculated as to not bring attention to himself. He was eyeing a location near the food, near the flies and a good hiding spot. If he needed it, as a last resort he knew that he could run to escape. Closer and closer he moved toward the plates of food to capture the unsuspecting flies.
And then it happened, the man in the chair turned and stared right at Eli. At first, he became incredibly still. Eli thinks to himself, “Possibly, the man is looking in my direction and I am just blending in?” But Eli felt that the man was somehow, just staring at him. The man made no movements to harm or threaten Eli. He just watched. Eli almost felt safe as the man watched him.
In the next moments Eli had a fly land near him. His natural instincts caused his tongue to quickly reach out and snatch the fly. Still the man made no attempts to bring any harm. He just watched and observed.
The man turned to one of his attendants and clapped his hands three times. The attendant bowed his head and quickly left the room. Within moments, the man returned with a big book in his hand. He also carried writing utensils in the other hand. He carefully opened the book which was shaped more like a scroll. The man then spoke loudly to everyone in the room.
“Today, I have witnessed another incredible insight in all that God has made” he said. “I must capture this moment in the same way that the lizard on the wall has captured its prey.”
The man began to write.
There are four things on earth that are small but unusually wise: Ants—they aren’t strong, but they store up food all summer. Rock Badgers—they aren’t powerful, but they make their homes among the rocks. Locusts—they have no king, but they march in formation. Lizards—they are easy to catch, but they are found even in kings’ palaces.
“Yes!” he laughed to himself. “You see that lizard on the wall. Even a small child could catch him easily if they desired. But he has been able to find his way into the palace undetected. Not even my most trusted guards noticed his entering into my chamber. I, King Solomon, have captured this moment. What this lizard has done shall be remembered throughout time.”
Eli was shocked! God had kept his word to Eli. This man had written about Eli in this booklet, Eli knew that it was more than just a journal…it was holy. Not that the King was holy, but the writing in the book was.
Eli returned many times to watch the King enter more words and thoughts on the scroll. The King had given orders for no one to harm the little lizard. Eli did not brag about his events to the others. He enjoyed coming because it was the place where he knew God was present. And this is where Eli always wanted to be.
The End.
You can find the words that Solomon penned in the bible in the book called Proverbs, chapter 30:24-28. Take some time to ponder other insights from Solomon whom the bible records as the wisest man who ever lived.