Why am I in this zoo?

A baby camel asked his mother, “Mom, why do I have these huge three-toed feet?” His mother replied, “Well, son, your toes help you stay on top of the soft sand when we trek across the desert.”

A few minutes later the baby camel asked, “Mom, why do I have these long eyelashes?” His mother replied, “Well, son, your eyelashes help keep the sand out of your eyes on our trips through the desert.”

A few minutes later the baby camel asked, “Mom, why do I have these great big humps on my back.” His mother, who was getting a little impatient with her son, replied, “Well, son, your humps store water for our long treks across the desert, so you can go without drinking for long periods of time.”

“That’s great, Mom,” the baby camel said. “We have huge feet to stop us from sinking, long eyelashes to keep sand out of our eyes, and humps to store water. But….Mom?”

“Yes, son?”

“Why are we in the zoo?”

God created you for a purpose. He’s provided you with gifts and talents so that you can serve Him and make a difference in the world. Are you doing what God created you to do? Maybe you feel a little like the camel in the zoo. Life is easy, things are going along pretty smoothly, but you have a nagging feeling inside that maybe you aren’t living up to your God-given potential.

Living in a zoo isn’t all bad, but it’s certainly not what camels were created to do. Living outside the will of God may not be all bad for you, either. Perhaps you’ve got a well-paying job, a supportive family, and few troubles. But ask yourself, “Is this what God created me to do?” Jesus said, “The thief comes to kill, steal and destroy. But I have come that you may life and have it to the full.” (John 10:10) Let Jesus set you free and give you the abundant life that you were meant to live.


(From Hot Illustrations for Youth talks)