We can learn something from meerkats! Take the quiz to see how much you know about them.
Meerkats instinctively gather together in groups called mobs. Quickly contributing to the size of the mob are baby meerkittens born in litters of 3-7 kittens in just 11 weeks. Although groups average in size from 10-15, with several litters their numbers can double to 30.
Living in a tough environment meerkats do more than survive, they thrive! What lessons can we learn from their behaviors?
HOW TO THRIVE IN TOUGH ENVIRONMENTS
LESSON #1
GATHER TOGETHER!
As we’ve learned, meerkats are not loners. Gathering together and cooperative behavior are critical factors to their thriving and surviving in South Africia’s tough environment.
What about us?
Our environment can be tough as well when we deal with oppressive relationships, stressful jobs or a bad economy. These tough environments can make having a strong faith difficult, especially if we are doing it alone. But even Jesus didn’t face things alone. Didn’t Jesus surrounded Himself with 12 disciples and send them out two by two, (Mark 6:7)?
Gathering together to focus on Jesus gives us a connection that strengthens our faith in an environment of fellowship, encouragement and support. Did you know that “Regular face-to-face interaction helps lower stress, boosts mood, and increases emotional resilience?”2 It also strengthens immunity and increases longevity.2 Now, that’s what I would call thriving!
And let us consider how we may spur one another on
toward love and good deeds,
not giving up meeting together,
as some are in the habit of doing,
but encouraging one another—
and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV
LESSON #2
FIND OUR PURPOSE!
This little fellow’s purpose must be to bring home a big juicy spider for dinner!
Each meerkat has a specific purpose which enables efficiency, survival and thriving of the mob.
Our purpose may not be to bring home a spider for dinner; however, we were each designed for a specific purpose. The unique gifts and characteristics God gave us enables us to thrive doing something we love well. It fills a purpose in lovingly supporting and growing the body of believers in Jesus.
From Him the whole body is fitted and held together
by every supporting ligament.
The proper working of each individual part produces the body’s growth,
for building itself up in love,
Ephesians 4:16 TLV
What if I don’t know my purpose?
“We may not discover our purpose immediately,
but by allowing Him, (Jesus),
to transform us daily,
our purpose will be revealed.”3
LESSON #3
PASS ON KNOWLEDGE!
No knowledge or skills are lost with the meerkats. Early on, older meerkats pass it down to the next generation through communication, social behavior and teaching.
Don’t we all need knowledge to grow and thrive? Studying God’s Word together is a great opportunity to seek answers, hear different perspectives and grow our faith in a loving environment. When we share our knowledge, experiences and skills, we all thrive!
As iron sharpens iron,
So, a man sharpens the countenance of his friend,
Proverbs 27:17
LESSON #4
WATCH THEIR BACKS!
How can meerkats thrive if they can’t rest or forage? Durning those times they watch each other’s backs standing as sentinels to warn of approaching danger.
Who watches our backs?
In the Old Testament watchmen stood on the city walls to watch and warn people of approaching physical danger. There were also spiritual watchmen that were vigilant prayer intercessors, Isaiah 62:2. Or like Ezekiel, watchmen who conveyed God’s words of warning as people strayed from God’s ways, Ezekiel 3:17.
Today we may not stand as physical watchmen, but we too can watch each other’s backs. Praying for one another and warning of false teachings helps keep us on the right path so that we thrive.
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,
being watchful to this end
with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints,
Ephesians 6:18
LESSON #5
STAND TOGETHER!
With a height of only 10”-14” they may be small in stature, but together they are strong. When threatened, they stand upright, puff up their fur and band together!
In today’s tough environment, we don’t need to be tall to stand up for what we believe. Like the meerkats banding together to thrive in tough environments, we can band together to stand up for our belief in Jesus. Standing alone is tough, but standing together we gather strength from Jesus and each other.
And though a man might prevail against one who is alone,
two will withstand him—
a threefold cord is not quickly broken,
Ecclesiastes 4:12
LET’S TAKE LESSONS FROM THE MEERKATS.
THEY THRIVE!
AND SO CAN WE!
REFLECTION
Are you thriving?
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, as I write Hebrews 10:34-35 and say it aloud, lead me to the place where I can thrive gathering with other believers. Strengthen my faith and reveal my purpose using me to help others thrive too. In Jesus name. Amen.
THRIVE WITH OTHERS IN JESUS
Comment!
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*For information on making Jesus Christ your Savior, email me or visit, http://www.peacewithgod.net/
1 Meerkat | Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
2 psychology today
3 God’s Purpose For You– WHO MOLDS YOU? – DianeLese
Photo 2 meerkats, Viskus
Photo meerkitten, IanZA
Photo meerkat group, Anggit Rizkianto
Photo digging meerkat, Max Leveridge
Photo teaching meerkat, Joshua-j-Cotten
Photo sentinel & 3 meerkats, G_Lupan
