The Crusader Newspaper Group

A Moment to Super Size Your Thinking

By Effie Rolfe, Chicago Crusader

…Human Life Matters… In today’s culture, this is a truth that must be reiterated more and more each day. We must value the sanctity of life. Everyone that ever lived on this earth was made in the image and likeness of our Father God, the Creator of Heaven, Earth and everything that is or will be. “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them (Genesis 1:27).”

This topic comes to mind after the public outrage of zoo officials killing Harambe, the gorilla at the Cincinnati Zoo. In case you didn’t hear the story that flooded the Internet for weeks, I will give you a brief overview. According to news reports, on May 28th a three-year-old boy broke away from his mother and fell into the enclosure where Harambe resided.

Although the mother may have been guilty of negligence, my prayer is a valuable lesson took place as a result of what could have been fatal. Actually, this kid could have died merely from the 15 feet fall before the gorilla ever laid eyes on him. Then to make matters worse, the 450-pound silver back gorilla grabbed the child violently at times while dragging him through the water. At other times, Harambe was hovering over the child and holding him between his legs for approximately 10 minutes. The mother was screaming while others looked in horror. Zoo officials acted quickly in decision making to take a rifle and shoot the animal as the child’s life was in danger. They later made a statement expressing sympathy for losing one of their beloved animals but because the child’s life was risk, they felt it was best. Of course, that’s when all hell broke loose. Nearly a hundred thousand protestors went to social media with angry comments accusing the mother of being negligent and blamed zoo officials for killing Harambe rather than tranquilizing the silverback gorilla. Thankfully, zoo officials responded that if the decision had to be made again, the same response would be made especially when a 3-year-old helpless child’s life is in danger.

The moral of the story is human life has value. What is more important, the life of a child whose life has not even begun or a 17-year-old silverback gorilla? The interesting fact is that most people probably didn’t know the ape existed until after the incident. Yes, Haramabe had a right to live. He too, is God’s creation and everything God made is good. However, when it comes to human beings—we are made in the image and likeness of God. The bible states that man was made a little lower than the angels not the animals. “You made them a little lower than the angels; you crowned them with glory and honor (Hebrews 2:7).

The sad reality is this is a classic example of a growing generation of people that refuse to acknowledge God as Supreme and ultimately devalues the sanctity of human life. People would rather complain about an ape put to death even at the risk of a child being brutally killed. Concerning the mother, witnesses say, ‘there’s probably nothing that she could have done. You looked around and the child was gone.’ Who doesn’t know that children can be like the “energizing bunny”—moving as fast as a rabbit, almost nonstop. Because of this, parents have to watch their children like a hawk because it only takes a second for them to become detached. Thankfully, this story had a good ending. Her son’s life was spared with the exception of a few bruises and a concussion.

In closing, my prayer is that this mother keeps her young son close to her heart and to her hands. She should be forever grateful that God spared his life and the zoo official acted swiftly to aid in the rescue. Lastly, it wouldn’t hurt to say a prayer for the zoo officials who have faced tremendous scrutiny and boycotts. No one can deny, we live in crucial times and must send a resounding message regarding the sanctity of human life. Whether it’s Black on Black crime, police brutality, terrorists or domestic violence—human lives matter! When you show respect for human life you also show honor and respect for the Creator of all life. Red, Black, Brown or White—we are all precious in God’s sight. Again, I say—human life matters!!!

Do you value human life…?

© Effie Rolfe is an Author of “Supersize Your Thinking,” Media Personality and Motivational Speaker. You can contact her on twitter.com/effiedrolfe Listen to her show daily on urbanpraiseradio.org (2015 Stellar Award Winner for Best Internet Radio Station).

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