Lovable loopy lemurs- agile as monkeys, curious as cats, never likely to join Mensa.
A sad fact- although very appealing, lemurs aren’t particularly bright (according to the experts- but what do they know…). They manage quite well, though, by acting in tribes. Lemurs have strong social groupings; they look out for each other- unless they are arguing over that nice piece of fruit.
On the ground, these cute creatures travel with a long hopping bouncy jumping technique. In the trees, lemurs are in their element. Nimble, sure-footed, with useful long tails, a group of lemurs can outpace predators (or cameramen) quite easily. They scavenge fruit and seeds from the ground, and make a noisy social outing to favourite fruit trees. They do all this with wide eyes and gently smiling faces- so very adorable.
In the U.K. lemurs are only found in zoos and wildlife projects. Always popular animals, they will stare at a lens like professional models whilst the crowds make coo-ing noises. It’s worth looking for the lemurs with a particular group role. This one was “Lookout” for the afternoon. Taking their duty seriously, the lookouts guard against predators. Birds of prey fancy a lemur-snack, a passing feline will happily gnash another: so the guards must stay alert.
Have you ever thought of lemurs as examples for Christian discipleship training?
Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. – Philippians 2:4 NLT
Acts 20:28a states, “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers”; and Hebrews 13:17b says, “They keep watch over you.”
The idea is one of spiritual alertness, being on watch, being ready. And this is something for ALL the believers to do for each other! We value the trained pastors and teachers we have in our churches; and that’s important. Yet there is still room (and need) for us to look out for our brothers and sisters in Christ. In this way the Church is strengthened and built up. If we leave it to the “professionals” we sell the concept of fellowship and family short.
Go on, be a lemur at church- we need the lookouts. It’s a hostile world out there.
The Reflectionary 