Tiger’s Eye- Look, See, Pray

Wild tigers have never lived in the British Isles. Large predatory cats were here before the last Ice Age; but nothing quite like the tigers of today. Celebrated in story and song, the tiger is rightly feared and respected. Visiting wild life venues here gives the photographer a chance of looking into a tiger’s eyes and capturing an image, but it cannot compare to attempting a safari in Asia. It is much less risky though- provided you follow the safety rules.

This image was photographed at Woburn Safari Park in Bedfordshire: I was on my own in the car, and was able to pause at the roadside to take pictures. Now, having to twist awkwardly to line up the lens properly was aggravating, to say the least. Would it hurt if I just let the side window down a bit? Hmmm.

Just then the Keeper’s Landrover drove a bit closer to “persuade” the tiger not to disappear in the bushes. And the tiger stalked closer and closer to me instead… and looked directly at me for a moment. Those eyes… By now quite uninterested in my car, and with no bits of me poking out, the tiger lost interest altogether. She stood still, looking across her domain, and I took the nice profile shot above. It doesn’t do justice to her majestic bearing, nor the size of the large teeth (mostly) hidden in her jaws.

I won’t forget the brief moment when the tiger’s eye caught mine. It’s hard to explain- there was a dispassionate assessment done very swiftly. I was obviously no threat, and didn’t seem to measure up for providing food.

Dismissed as of no consequence. That put me in my place! But I was grateful not to have been more interesting, or more tempting.

The whole experience does bring to life the bible stories of David having to fight off wild beasts- and makes me appreciate the relative safety of my everyday existence. No wonder David wrote passionate Psalms of praise to God as Defender and Deliverer. The dangers facing us today are less dramatic, but could easily get worse if the warmongers have their way. One day we may read the Psalms with a greater urgency…

I love you, Lord; you are my strength.
The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my saviour;
my God is my rock, in whom I find protection.
He is my shield, the power that saves me,
and my place of safety.
I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise,
and he saved me from my enemies.  (Psalm 18:1-3)

Voice of the Tiger- Look, See, Pray

It’s “International Tiger Day” so here’s the tiger from Whipsnade Zoo (taken a few years ago).

The tiger- a perfect predator? Amazing beauty, stunning agility and strength, and a powerful hunter. To stare into the eyes of a tiger sends shivers down the spine; the temptation to think of them as a bigger version of a domestic kitten is to be resisted. Unconquerable wildness dwells in the spirit of a tiger. They are to be admired (from a safe place!) and feared.

I remember Disney’s “Jungle Book” and scary Shere Khan- brilliantly voiced by George Sanders. I was quite young and impressionable (it’s still one of my favourite films!) and the cartoon voices of Kaa, Baloo, Shere Khan, and the Scouser vultures have stayed in my mind ever since. Such voices… especially the tiger…

“George Sanders provided the main speaking voice (of Shere Khan), giving the character a suave, baritone tone that emphasized his charm and menace” (Wikipedia)

Current conservation projects with tigers are doing a great job; yet tigers are endangered in the wild. Mostly, this is due to human encroachment on their habitats. Sadly, modern economics leaves little space for wildlife to flourish.

Theologically, the Genesis introduction to the world clearly indicates that humanity has a responsibility to be “Stewards” of Creation. To watch carelessly as the planet is abused and exploited is a grievous dismissal of accountability.

Celebrating the wonders all round us should be our decision. To praise the Creator and care for His masterpieces is our privilege not a burden!

Psalm 8
Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory
in the heavens.
Through the praise of children and infants
you have established a stronghold
against your enemies,
to silence the foe and the avenger.
When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
human beings that you care for them?
You have made them
a little lower than the angels
and crowned them with glory and honour.
You made them rulers over
the works of your hands;
you put everything under their feet:
all flocks and herds,
and the animals of the wild,
the birds in the sky,
and the fish in the sea,
all that swim the paths of the seas.
Lord, our Lord,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Of course it’s safe… he’s sleeping

“Is that wise?” followed by “Are you sure it’s safe?” mark interesting conversations between people who take very different views on risk.

This tiger was safely penned in at London Zoo. He seemed perfectly relaxed and fast asleep; regular deep breathing with a hint of a snore-like rumble. His paws don’t seem quite so relaxed though… those look distinctly like claws to me. A little part of me would have loved to stroke that handsome head, run my fingers through that thick fur- to experience a tiger like an oversized kitten. Every now and then news breaks of someone who foolishly enters animal enclosures- bad endings. The zoo helpfully had signs up pointing out that the tigers viewed the spectators as food- just meat on feet.

Danger has an appeal. Risk is enticing- the thrill of successfully negotiating the hazards and getting an adrenaline rush. It’s why the big cats are so popular, it’s why theme parks have terrifying rides, it’s why white-water rafting sells tickets.

It’s why maniacs like this bloke paraglide from mountains in Austria! The thrill is a huge reward.

We’re equipped with mental and physiological tools for assessing risk: and for weighing up the balance of fright to euphoria. My brain says “Do NOT jump off mountains- EVER.” But a little bit of me would love to know what it would feel like.

After the Resurrection of Jesus, lots of people were assessing risks. The authorities hoped Jesus was still dead. The disciples were being challenged by His re-appearance. Risks require response and (ideally) reward.

If Peter and John and the others saw only the risks, it would be madness to follow Christ. Unless, of course, HE really WAS alive. In that event, the rewards outweighed the risks… One of the best proofs of the truth of the Resurrection is the changed character of the disciples. Even at risk of death (several were martyred) they believed that Jesus had changed everything. Therefore Jesus was worth every risk. They changed the world.

Today, we seem to want to turn Jesus into a sleeping tiger instead of a roaring lion. If He sleeps, he is safe to approach, safe to follow. (Actually if Jesus sleeps, in other words stayed dead, it would be safe to follow Him- but pointless.)

Living, glorified, triumphant: this Jesus is not tame, nor dull, nor powerless. A living Christ who has won the victory over death and who brings the Kingdom of Heaven to Earth, this Jesus is worth every risk, every obedience, every decision to love.

Easter may be finished in the shops. It never finishes wherever there is one person, one church, one community, willing to take the risk of saying YES to Jesus.

Do you settle for a tame, safe tiger? Or get all your thrills in theme parks, wild sports, cheap relationships, horror movies, computer games, addictions and selfishness.

Get a life! Make a difference. Look for the Risen Jesus, and take a risk on Him.