A few years ago, we rescued many animals from a cruelty case. They were all terrified of people and it took us years till they stopped shaking when they saw us coming. The backyard butcher who had them would catch one in the yard and slaughter him/her right in front of the others. The animals there all understood what fate awaited them, and knew it was just a matter of time until it was their turn to be caught and killed. I’m imagining that wild deer might feel the same way; they live in herds but know the wolves and lions are out there, and it is just a matter of time until they are hunted. So the goats and sheep that we brought in from that cruelty case saw humans as gazelle and impala would see lions and tigers: like predators. I marvel at the fact that we rehabilitated them at all. They saw us as the hunters, yet with time they came to see us as their caregivers and their family. Finally earning their trust, we work very hard to never betray them and to always give them the best life possible.

Maybe that is what is meant by “The lion shall lay with the lamb.” Maybe the lion is us? And maybe the lamb is a metaphor for all animals? Maybe we can all lay with the lamb right now? If animals see us as their slayers, then maybe practicing kindness and earning their trust is the heaven we can create right now for all of us.

If we are the metaphorical lion, then eating a kind, whole foods, plant-based diet is the perfect way to lay down with the lamb and earn their trust. We have the power to create peace right now. We can all live in the Garden of Eden and have the plants nourish us, the animals trust us, and bring peace to this planet. It will never start with “them.” It is each and every one of us who will create more peace with our actions, intentions, and our diet.

The rate of violence keeps rising in our communities each year. We slaughter more and more animals, and there is more crime, gangs, drug use, and suffering. Maybe there is a correlation? Maybe when we act more peacefully towards animals, the environment, and our bodies, there will be less violence in our neighborhoods? I look forward to a more peaceful 2017 for all of us. May we all be inspired to live more gently and truly lay down with the lambs!

By Ellie Laks
Founder, The Gentle Barn
Author, My Gentle Barn