“Let all creation rejoice before the Lord.” – Psalm 96:13
I married into a family of Bigfoot enthusiasts.
Don’t judge me, but hear me out.
The legend goes back many decades. My husband’s side of the family has roots in the Uwharrie Mountains of North Carolina, and his parents still own many acres of land there. While some areas of our world may be overpopulated, these forests are not – they are dense and expansive. One of his family members witnessed a questionable event many years ago on the family property: one evening when it was almost dark, a large creature stepped over a full-size fence into the farm’s pigpen, lifted a large pig under each arm (each pig weighed over 100 pounds,) and ran off with them into the night.
This story has been repeated to many people over the years. Some shake their heads in disbelief, others chuckle uncomfortably, others stay open to the possibility, and others still tell of separate stories of hairy creatures recounted to them by someone they know.
I sometimes tease my husband about this folklore, often by buying him something silly when I come across it. My favorite item so far has been a Bigfoot sticker that reads, “The important thing is, I believe in myself.”
I would venture to guess that whether a person believes in Bigfoot or not is irrelevant – if the creatures are real, then they are real. Their existence is not dependent upon humans believing in them.
In Luke 19, we read of Jesus entering Jerusalem, several days before His trial and execution:
“When (Jesus) came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” “I tell you,” He replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” (vs 37-40.)
Many Biblical scholars have speculated whether Jesus was literal in these verses; would rocks and stones literally cry out if His disciples remained silent? Personally, I would like to imagine they would. We read throughout Scripture of God’s creation praising Him. Psalm 148:7-10 states, “Praise the Lord from the earth, you great sea creatures and all ocean depths, lightning and hail, snow and clouds, stormy winds that do his bidding, you mountains and all hills, fruit trees and all cedars, wild animals and all cattle, small creatures and flying birds…”
In Luke 19, the Pharisees knew they were powerless to stop the excitement and joy of the people as they witnessed their King riding into Jerusalem, so they called on Jesus to stop what they believed to be blasphemy. Because Jesus was truly the Son of God, His response indicated that even if the Pharisees ordered the people to be silent, non-speaking objects would fill their void.
All of creation, the angels, and even the demons, believe in the existence and sovereignty of God.
Humans alone remain in doubt.
My husband’s ancestors believed in Bigfoot. They experienced sightings with their own eyes; they witnessed occurrences that could not be explained.
For those who believe in God, they have “tasted and seen that the Lord is good.” (Psalm 34:8.) When they recount to others the ways the Lord has shown Himself, some shake their heads in disbelief, others chuckle uncomfortably, others stay open to the possibility, and others tell of separate stories of when they have witnessed the miracles and wonders of God.
Legends and mysteries pass down through generations because some events are too wondrous and unbelievable to keep to ourselves. Whether the person we are speaking to believes us or not, we feel it is our duty to keep the traditions alive.
So, we too, as followers of Christ, continue to tell others of His goodness, His grace, His presence, and His provision, regardless of their response.
The stones will not take our place.
“The heavens keep telling the wonders of God, and the skies declare what he has done. Each day informs the following day; each night announces to the next. They don’t speak a word, and there is never the sound of a voice. Yet their message reaches all the earth, and it travels around the world.” – Psalm 19:1-4
