Articles
Zoo Excuses
During the school year I had the privilege of chaperoning my son Austin’s second grade
field trip to Memphis. He was excited about the charter bus ride to Memphis and it did not
disappoint. He was excited about the Egyptian exhibit at the University of Memphis and it did
not disappoint.
Austin was also eager to visit the Memphis Zoo and view the pandas and polar bears (two
things you do not see in South Arkansas) but unfortunately they did disappoint.
You see, it is hot in Memphis in mid-May and the animals were not in a particularly
playful mood, nor did they want to put on a show for those who had travelled a great distance to
gaze in wonder at them in their manufactured habitat.
As Austin began to get frustrated, I began to make excuses for the animals. I found
myself saying things like, “I’m sure it’s cooler inside their home” and “Maybe it’s their lunch
time” and even “Maybe they are playing hide and seek with you guys.” Despite my best efforts, I
was unable to convince my once enthusiastic son that the animals in the zoo were not always “on
That got me to thinking. As a Christian, I know I have made excuses why it was okay for
me to not be “on duty,” but I also realize that I am always under the watchful eye of someone. I
firmly believe that God puts people in our path for a reason and we should not waste
opportunities to be Christ in this lost world. As Christians we are called to be lights (Matt. 5:14-
16). Paul exhorts Timothy to not let anyone look down on him, but to be an example (1 Tim.
4:12). I challenge you to live so that those who you come into contact with will see Christian joy
and consistency in your walk. ~ Kent Jobe, El Dorado, AR (edited for space)
