Expedition Africa

Every so often a T.V. show hits the air that draws me close to God. Usually it’s something on either The History Channel or Discovery, and has something to do with the world around us. I know many Christians often complain about these same networks putting on programming that promotes ideologies that are very contrary to the Christian world-view, but this has never really bothered me. Sure such a practice creates misconceptions about our God and our faith, but rather than complain about this I have always seen it as my job as a Christian to correct the misconceptions and challenge some of the too easily accepted ideologies of the world. In many ways I’m actually very thankful for such networks teaching us what they do, because the truth that shines forth from these networks draws me closer to God as I learn more about his creation.

In the past I’ve been drawn in by shows such as “Planet Earth”, “the Universe”, “Shark Week”, and documentaries about great people of the past. Currently the show grabbing my attention is The History Channels “Expedition Africa”.

Now to be honest, the personalities on this show aren’t all that engaging, but by the third episode I had quickly learned that the explorers weren’t the stars of the show, God is. Now let’s be clear, this isn’t the attempt of the shows producers in any way, but when you watch the show from a proper Christian world-view I’m not sure how we can see the show any other way.

When crossing the plains our explorers come across a myriad of animals that we would never see anywhere but in a zoo, and these animals are living in these plains in much the same way we would in a big city. They are sharing the same watering holes, lying near each other in the tall grass, and just living life in their little animal society. Its awe inspiring.

At one point the explorers walk near a few giraffe’s, not more than 50 yards away, just jogging along. Within the radius of a few miles they find lions, hyenas, hippos, baboons, pythons, wild cows (no joke), and an elephant or two. Humans don’t just trek through these plains often, although there are small villages near by, but these animals just go on living without us just fine. It was like their own little city.

The reminder – 1) God is a God of beauty who makes beautiful things. 2) Those animals aren’t there for our benefit; they are there because God likes them. Life is more about him then us. The fact that God has great interest in us is a blessing, not a right.