Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My?: Thoughts on the Zanesville Tragedy

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By now most of the nation is aware of the tragedy in Zanesville, OH, where 56 wild animals were freed from their habitats by their owner prior to shooting himself.  The animals included 18 rare Bengal tigers, monkeys, lions, and bears, as well as  others.  The photos of the  49 gorgeous animal carcasses are heartbreaking. The man who couldn’t deal with his life any longer is heartbreaking. The man’s wife who lost her husband and entire animal family has to be devastated.  My heart is just sad about the entire situation.

Interestingly enough, though the media has paid careful attention to this scenario due to its rarity, every day there are tragedies throughout our nation that receive little or no attention.  Because they are so common, we, our nation, ignore their existence.

Typically there are no pictures of abortions, the murder of innocent children, displayed on the 6 o’clock news.  Though approximately 3,700 occur daily in the US.

I don’t see internet news headlines screaming out: The United States of America is principally a transit and destination country for trafficking in persons. It is estimated that 14,500 to 17,500 people, primarily women and children, are trafficked to the U.S. annually.

Occasionally the drug war raging in our land might be mentioned, but did you know:

Through 2010 – nine years from the 2002 baseline – monthly users of all illicit drugs had increased to 22.6 million at rate of +15.9% since 2002. This statement is in regards to the Estimated U.S. Monthly^† Substance Use by Those Aged 12+.

This morning, a verse came to me as I was thinking about the whole Zanesville situation again.

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.   Resist him, standing firm in the faith

I am so relieved that the sheriff’s office in Zanesville handled this situation with impeccable resistance. 

And I can’t blame the media for the interest in such a rare situation.

But we must remember who is seeking to devour human souls and point others to the true Lion, of the tribe of Judah. 

Rev. 5:5

Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed.

Praise be to our Father.