On the fifth day of Creation (Gen.1:20-25), God created living creatures: birds of the air, fish in the sea, and animals on the land.

I believe most people love the creatures in our world.  Some may hate cats, but love dogs.  Others may be scared of snakes but laugh at pigs. Some may find caterpillars a bit repulsive but smile at the gliding beauty of a butterfly.  God created such a variety of living creatures, that there is something for everyone.

So how might this event of creating living beings be a blessing and contribute to your soul-wellness?

On a large scale, God has an eco-system functioning smoothly on this planet, each life form playing an important role in the overall balance of nature.  On a more personal scale, we can get great pleasure out of contact with animals.  For me, romping with my terrier or cuddling my shih-tzu makes my heart sing.  My racing thoughts quiet when I observe flocks of birds flying overhead, or listen to cicadas chirping.

Soul-wellness involves slowing down your fast pace of life and savoring these pleasures, in whatever form you find them. You will be singing with joy, and then settling into peace when you express gratitude for each living creature with which you come in contact.

When I think about the blessing of living creatures, the phrase from Ephesians 3:10 comes to mind:  that is, “the manifold wisdom of God should be made known.”  I believe the variety of living creatures demonstrates this aspect of the Heavenly Father: God’s manifold wisdom.  

“Manifold” means variegated and diverse. All living creatures depict the extraordinary love of God for variety.  In animals, we see the cleverness of the Creator, and His expansive appreciation for diversity.  Each living creature brings to this world unique contributions.  Paul reminds us that we each have different gifts (Romans 12:10), just like the creatures.  The camel’s uses are not more important than the kitten’s, just different. The soaring eagle and the flitting honeybee have strength, just a different kind of strength. The dolphin and the elephant both communicate, just in different ways.  The blessing we received in Paradise is this first hand knowledge of the Sovereign God’s manifold wisdom as seen in His living creatures.  All living creatures are unique and valuable, and play an important part in God’s plan — including you and me.  That belief is at the root of your soul-wellness.