Pet snake

We got a pet snake the other day.  We've been wanting one for a few months so it wasn't totally a rush decision or anything.  We went to the pet store to pick out some parakeets but got distracted when we saw a sweet, little snake curled up around a pet store worker's hand. She was just going about her business with a snake hanging out.  Apparently the snake was exceptionally friendly and loved being held.  I fell in love with him the minute I held him, as did my teenager.  She begged, "Pleeeese, can we get the snake?"  I really wanted him but couldn't justify the cost.  But it turned out that his tank set-up was 50% off that day, so we took it as a good sign, since that was the greatest cost.  We brought him home and named him Tarzan (named by the teenager, because he loves hanging out in his tree.)

My kids were so excited about Tarzan and couldn't get enough of him.  Now, I know that many people are terrified and grossed out by snakes.  (I apologize for anyone reading this post that might have hurled or fainted upon seeing the picture of Tarzan in my hand).  But I don't want my children growing up with disgust for God's creatures, no matter what creatures they are.  

Although a few people have admired our new pet, most have been disgusted by him and some have even tried to convince me that they're evil animals, implying, I'm sure, that I should never desire to own a snake.  Some have even said they will not visit my home anymore if the snake is there.  Wow. 

At first, I thought that the idea that the snake was evil was some sort of joke but they were totally serious.  They claimed that since Genesis 3 states that God cursed the snake, then it was done.  It's cursed, it's evil, and should probably be dead.  

Well, I'd like to offer those individuals something to consider:  If being cursed by God makes you evil for the rest of eternity, then we should probably stay away from the ground since God also cursed the ground we walk on.  Maybe we shouldn't eat the food that comes from accursed grounds. 

And if the snake was, indeed, evil, why would God choose to raise up a bronze snake in the desert to save all those that were bitten by snakes?  Seems like He should have made a bronze lamb or dove or some other animal that represents Jesus.  John 3:14 says Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up.  

If God considered snakes to be evil, why would He choose to use the serpent for the first miracle performed by Moses before Pharaoh?  And why would he invite Moses to handle the snake?  I thought snakes were supposed to be evil?  I can't believe God would use that symbol as an example of His miraculous power.  

Ridiculous, yeah?  

I actually love the Moses/staff snake story because it gives me a glimpse into what I feel God is saying about snakes.  A deadly snake, is of course, to be respectfully feared and avoided.  So when Moses laid down his staff and God turned it into a snake, I'm sure everyone wanted to run.  But God invited Moses to pick up the snake by his tail, which is the most deadly method since he can turn around easily and bite.  But instead of being bitten, God granted Moses authority over the power of the snake.  

Isn't that an amazing testimony?  Although seen as one of the earth's most evil creatures (in many cases, representing the devil), God grants those, who rely on Him, authority over evil.  

Mark 16:18 says they will pick up snakes with their hands and it will not hurt them at all.

Luke 10:19 adds to it with, I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.

Wow.  That Luke verse is so beautiful.  The authority we have over the snake (the enemy) is something praise-worthy, and something worthy of being remembered and acknowledged.  That's reason enough to want to pet a snake, in my opinion. What an awesome reminder God has offered, using one of His own created creatures to remind us.  

One of my favorite Paul-stories was when he was sitting around the fire on the island of Malta after the shipwreck.  A viper jumped out and attached itself to his arm and he just flicked it off, like it was no big deal.  The natives saw this as a bad sign and concluded that he must be a murder because the snake was trying to take him out.  Well, he was a murderer.  And I'm sure the devil tried to remind him of that, over and over.  But through Christ's strength, Paul didn't even give it another thought.  It was like the devil's power to label Paul as the murderer he was, was no longer effective.

Anyway, our snake is, and will remain, completely harmless as it is a Ball Python that only grows to about 3-4 feet in length.  Currently, he's 2 feet.  Pythons can be deadly but must be at least 10 feet long in order to kill a human.  We obviously do not have that kind of pet.  He's not even a risk to our cat but we'd never let him investigate that anyway since I'm sure our cat would tear him to shreds.  

I think the snake is worthy of our admiration because in spite of the curse that removed his glory, he still remains an integral part of our ecosystem and without him, our environment would suffer.  Regardless of what the enemy used him for, he can, and will, be redeemed by the Creator and placed in his rightful place as one of God's creations.  What a testimony that snake bears for all of us who have found ourselves in places where we were used by the devil and cursed to suffer the consequences of our subjugation.  Only God can restore us and only He does.  

There are so many lessons we can glean from this animal and I thank Jesus for him.

Thank you, Lord, for the snake and everything he represents.  Help us to acknowledge his downfall and to recognize the intent of the enemy to bring us into a curse to keep us down.  But I praise you for your plan of restoration and endless love and look forward to full restoration of all your people and all your creation someday very soon.  

Isn't he just adorable?  Tiny little thing.