Surprisingly, a lot!

But really, it shouldn't be so surprising. A long time ago wise old Solomon wrote, "Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, which, having no captain, overseer or ruler, provides her supplies in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest" (Proverbs 6:6-8). If an ant can teach wisdom, why can't a rooster?

Years ago, a rooster named "Rufus" lived on our tiny, suburban farm. When he was very young, we put him in a pen with twelve older hens that were complacently satisfied to be doing their own thing. They had their own pecking order and ignored Rufus altogether. The way Rufus coped with the situation is an example well worth noting.

Little by little, step by step, day after day, he began to take the lead. At first he did not know what his role should be or what was best to do. As time went on, each day brought him closer to a rooster's purpose and goal.

When we would let the chickens out of their pen in the late afternoon, instead of just feeding himself on insects and grass, Rufus seized the initiative by dashing to the nearest likely patch of leaves or grass and scratched vigorously for grubs and worms, coaxing the hens to follow.

When he happened upon a tender morsel or two, his coaxing took on a louder, more urgent sound. Though the hens were skeptical at first, they soon learned that his concern was genuine. Then they came running -- wings outspread and feet flying. Rufus would stand protectively aside looking out for danger while they plucked up the delicacies. He repeated the action again and again as he led them about the farm.

Those hens became happy to have such a leader. His concern for their need had won their full confidence and desire to follow him.

How did he know to do that? Are roosters smarter than humans? Do they think out and practice love and care for others? Or is it just another way that God has for setting us good examples in nature.

I know that that rooster did not plan out how to charm the ladies with such outgoing consideration. It is not a case of one rooster stumbling onto it and others following, according to man's theory of evolution. God programmed this into his brain, just like you might write a program into a computer. It is God who sets us an example of good leadership, even in a rooster.

I marvel at how simply that rooster applied this important principle without having to be taught. You and I do not have such instinct. In fact, we grow up in a world that programs us toward selfishness and self-centeredness. We need instruction, example and a lot of determination to learn and practice right principles. We also need to be guided by God's word and His Holy Spirit if we are to practice righteous principles.

God has not left us just to learn from ants and roosters. He gives us full instructions in the Holy Bible, repeating over and over again in word and examples the essentials to full, successful and happy lives. Jesus set us the real, overall example during His lifetime on earth. Programming additional examples in the brain of a rooster only gives us one more example.

Since God's purpose is that we humans be guided by the Bible rather than animal instinct, we urgently need to understand the Bible. To provide assistance toward that end, we offer a free booklet, How to Understand the Bible. It's yours for the asking.

If He did this for a rooster, He could surely do it for us. However, we are being created for a much more important purpose than He created roosters, and our programming is purposely not yet complete. As free moral agents, we must have a willing and obedient part in it.

Through our eager participation, Christ continues His creation within us. With God's Spirit, biblical teaching and Jesus Christ's ever-present help, we can come to the perfect outgoing love and leadership required of the Family of God -- the Kingdom of God.

Becoming members of that family is God's purpose and our ultimate goal. It is what God created us for.