There are three things which are too wonderful for me,
Yes, four which I do not understand:
The way of an eagle in the air,
The way of a serpent on a rock,
The way of a ship in the midst of the sea,
And the way of a man with a virgin.

Proverbs 30:18-19

Lately, I’ve been thinking about how many of God’s creatures like to bask.

Our pet rabbit likes to lie on the grass, stretch out his fore and hind legs, and bask in the sun.

The seals down at Goat Rock, braving the gawkers on the beach, will lie on the sand at the river’s mouth and bask in the sun.

Basking sharks, I assume, enjoy swimming near the surface of the water so they can bask in the sun.

Mulling all of this, I suddenly remembered that Solomon, too, was intrigued by baskers. As he thought about the four wonders mentioned above, he knew there was a spiritual significance attached to each of them, but he couldn’t see it.

But those who are in Christ can!

Repeatedly, the Bible tells us that Christ is our Rock; and also that we–with a nature and a standing like that old serpent, the devil– are nonetheless loved by God, lifted out of our holes in the earth, and set upon the Rock of Christ.

We’re snakes all right. But thanks be to God, the Father no longer sees us that way. Because we’re in Christ, he sees us as sons. Therefore, we can bask in the healing and warming light of his love with no fear of getting picked off!

So next time you’re feeling low and mean–even downright snakey–take a lesson from the rabbits, the seals, the sharks, the lizards and all the other baskers.

Remember that you’re on the Rock, and spend a little time just basking in the Father’s love.