Natural Conclusions from the Rockies

Big Mountains of the Bighorn Sheep

Character Principle: Perspective
Nature Item: Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep
Grade Level: Junior and senior high

Awesome Fact! Bighorn sheep depend on their long-distance vision for safety! Natural Conclusion Christians need to live with eternity’s values in view.

Armed with cameras and binoculars, visitors to the Colorado mountains want to see one of the Rockies’ trophy animals, the bighorn sheep. Interestingly, it is the quality of being able to see well that equips bighorn sheep for survival in the harsh conditions of the alpine tundra.

The key elements to the bighorn’s outstanding vision are excellent eyesight, low vegetation, and high-visibility habitat. Adding to their good eyesight, bighorns forage most of the year in vegetation that they can see over. That improves the odds that they will see an intruder before it gets too close. Additionally, they keep to high-visibility areas with clear escape terrain and topographic relief. That also enables them to spot threats at long distances.

The Natural Conclusion for Christian living is that we need to look long-range. We need to live with eternity’s values in view. We’re instructed to set our mind on the things above, not on the things that are on the earth (Colossians 3:2). Taking a lesson from the bighorns, we need to stand where we can look over the top of earthly things to see heavenly things. We need to climb up to those high-visibility places where we can see forever.

A True-to-Life Story

There was much excitement in Greg’s home. Family and friends were gathered together for a shower for baby Ranae. Everyone enjoyed watching Ranae’s cute expressions while Greg’s mom opened presents for the newest member of the family. The gift table was piled high with picture books, stuffed animals, play toys, baby clothes, bibs, and diapers. One last gift was almost lost amongst the wrapping paper. It was a simple envelope containing a card and a certificate. The card was from Quinn, Ranae’s grandfather. The certificate was a stock certificate with a Fortune 500 company. Grandpa Quinn picked little Ranae up in his arms and held her close. “Baby girl,” he said softly, “this gift won’t mean anything to you for a long time, but it will grow, and when you are grown it will be a tree of life to you.”

Greg hadn’t bought a gift for his baby sister, but he wanted to. He just didn’t know what to get her. He knew she needed lots of baby things, but he really liked the idea of giving her a gift that would grow with her. He knew he couldn’t afford a stock certificate like Quinn. He pondered the idea for several days. Then like a bolt out of the blue, he remembered something Quinn had said, and he was out the door to buy a baby gift for Ranae.

The next day after dinner, Greg announced to his family that he had a surprise gift for Ranae. Then he wrapped Ranae up in a pink baby blanket and escorted the family out of the house. There in the center of the backyard was a baby apple tree, the root ball wrapped in a pink blanket. Greg held baby Ranae close and said, “Baby sister, this gift won’t mean anything to you for a long time, but it will grow, and when you are grown it will be a tree of life to you.”

Greg, meaning “watchman,” suggesting “having the long view”
Quinn, meaning “wise,” suggesting “full of wisdom”
Ranae, meaning “born again,” suggesting “new life”

A Nature Project

A project that would reinforce the long-range view of Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep and the character quality of perspective would be to, as the true-to-life story suggests, plant a tree.

Time commitment: one day, including shopping and planting time

Materials: (depends on the size of the tree)
Balled tree Mulch Garden hose Shovels Rakes Stakes Rope Hammer Fertilizer

Pick a tree-planting time that would be symbolic of a long-range event in your life. Some examples might be

Starting high school or college
Setting a health and fitness goal
Setting a financial goal
Starting a business venture

Have your soil tested, and pick a tree species that will work in your soil type. Pick a tree species that also is compatible with your climatic and lighting conditions. Follow the soil preparation recommendations of the nursery.

You may want to put a dedicatory plaque near the tree. Hebrews 12:2 (NASV) might be an appropriate inscription.

Fixing our eyes on Jesus,
the author and perfecter of faith,
who for the joy set before Him endured the cross,
despising the shame,
and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

The Scriptural Story

Questions and responses in this section are based upon the New American Standard Version of the Bible.

Excellent Eyesight

Bighorns have large eyes that are set toward the sides of the head so they can keep an eye out for predators even when their head is down while they are grazing.

According to Proverbs 29:18, what is the consequence of poor vision?

According to Matthew 6:22, what did Jesus say about the benefits of clear vision?

In Matthew 5:3, what metaphor does Jesus use to describe a speck in the eye when it is blocking your vision?

And what is this word picture actually referring to?

Excellent Vantage Point

Bighorns frequent only the highest elevations where they can see long distances.

According to Habakkuk 3:19, what sort of destination does the strength of God lead us to?

According to Colossians 3:1–2, what kind of mind-set should we have in Christ?

Excellent Field of View

Bighorns inhabit the tundra where vegetation is stunted, affording them an unobstructed view of distant horizons.

Hebrews 12:1 talks about removing obstacles from our lives. According to the next verse, where do we have to fix our vision to run an unobstructed race?

1 Corinthians 5:6–8 uses leaven in an illustration. According to this word picture, what are two things that we need to clear out of our lives?

To Teach by Example

Even though we may understand these principles in theory, we may struggle in our personal ability to apply them practically. So let’s take some time to study how these ideas can be lived out.

Eyesight Vantage Point Field of View Physically Binoculars Observation deck Vista clearing Intellectually Worldview Education Internet filter Socially Discerning friendships Ethical memberships No unresolved conflicts Spiritually Godly insight Biblical foundation Clear conscience

Talking It Over with the Father

Father, give me godly insight. Help me to stand on the ethical high ground. Help me to maintain a clear conscience so that I can observe the horizon with an unobstructed view.