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I am a 28-year -old with a B.A. in Biology. I have always loved animals and recently have I started pursuing a career working with animals. In my free time, I volunteer at our local animal shelter and zoo. However, sometimes I feel guilty about doing this, knowing that there are people out there that I could be volunteering to help instead.
My boyfriend says that animals are "stupid." and I can tell he thinks I am wasting my time. What does God say about His animals? Is what I am doing worthwhile? Please help me. Are there any particular verses or books that I can read to help guide me?
What does God say about His animals? Well, many of His very special people in the Old Testament were shepherds: Abel, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, and David. Moses was a shepherd for forty years. A number of David's inspired psalms were composed as he watched his father's sheep and worshipped God.
God made animals; He gave special animals to Adam to keep him company in the Garden of Eden. He had Noah save two of every kind of animal on his ark during the great flood. Jesus said that not a sparrow falls to the ground apart from the will of His Father. And the psalmist said that the various creatures look to God for their food.
Working with animals is obviously your calling; and while serving as a volunteer at an animal shelter and zoo, you are learning more about your chosen field and adding to your resume.
Certainly, of course, we should use whatever gifts the Lord has given us to serve Him in His body, the church. We can usually do that on Sunday: teach Sunday school, sing in the choir, encourage fellow Christians. And also we can always be a testimony for Him to others during the week. For our Lord should be first in our lives. However, most people work at secular jobs and careers, hopefully doing what they like to do.
Since you are pursuing a career working in animals and your boyfriend says animals are stupid and thinks you're wasting time, you might consider looking for a honey who will be more compatible!
Best wishes! Dr. Muriel
Dr. Muriel Larson, author of many books and thousands of published writings and songs, is a professional Christian writer, counselor and speaker, and has taught at writers' conferences across the United States. She serves as an E-Mail counselor with Truthmedia. Her web site, "Advice From God's Word," lists many helpful articles alphabetically by their descriptive titles: http://advicedrmuriel.blogspot.com
