Don’t Overlook the Real Danger
Tragedy struck the community of Kiawah Island, South Carolina when an alligator killed a 58-year-old woman in May 2020. The victim was Cynthia Covert, a nail technician visiting from nearby Johns Island.
According to the woman getting her nails done, Cynthia seemed fascinated by a large alligator in the pond near her house. After finishing her job, Cynthia stepped off the back porch and walked toward the alligator. “Stay away from him,” the woman shouted. “He just recently killed a deer.”
“I don’t look like a deer,” Cynthia calmly replied. Cynthia came closer and the woman’s husband shouted to her to come back. Cynthia reached down to pet the beast. But before the husband could stop her, the alligator lunged at Cynthia, grabbed her by the leg and pulled her into the water.
Cynthia made no screams. In fact, she stood up in the water while one leg was still in the alligator’s mouth and calmly said, “Well, I guess I won’t do that again.” With that the alligator began to roll, pulling Cynthia below the water and killing her.
Despite attempts by neighbors to beat the alligator with shovels, the crocodilian would not let go. Only after a sheriff’s deputy arrived and fired his side arm into the gator’s head were they able to retrieve Cynthia’s body. A coroner ruled that she had died by “accidental drowning.”
This is the third time in four years that people have been killed by alligators in South Carolina. And before these deaths, there was no record of any previous human fatalities from alligator attacks.
Fifty years ago, alligators were considered an endangered species. So laws were passed to protect them. Those laws still exist, even though gators have spread throughout the Southeast and now number more than five million. The creatures that once needed our protection, have now become a danger to both people and their pets.
Yet people, fascinated by the beasts, still maintain a nonchalant attitude toward them. They treat gators like a novelty. They allow them to occupy lakes and ponds in numerous communities where small children play. People seem oblivious to the danger and to the fact that their landscape has changed dramatically.
You know, America’s nonchalant attitude toward the spread of wild beasts (including coyotes, bears, wild pigs, boars), mirrors its attitude toward other threats to our safety. For instance, so much effort has been focused on the protection of convicted felons in prison, that the safety of the community has been neglected. Just look at all the prisoners who’ve been released into our communities to protect them from the Covid-19 virus. While some prisoners may be grateful for this action, most simply view it as an opportunity to “ply their trade” again. They simply go on committing crimes against society. We have a similar nonchalant attitude toward our foreign enemies who seek to dominate the world.
It seems that, despite all the bloodshed, murder, and war humanity’s suffered for thousands of years, we can’t seem to come to grips with a harsh reality. Human beings, like all creatures, have a fallen, sinful nature (Genesis 2:17; 6:5, 13; 8:21). The disease of sin has infected creation and it has twisted and perverted our hearts (Romans 1:18-32; 3:9-18, 23). As a result we have a natural inclination toward evil and violence. And nothing but the redemption of Jesus Christ will ever change us (Romans 1:16-17). Only when we invite God’s chosen Redeemer into our hearts will we experience His resurrection power and be inwardly raised from death in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1-6).
But until all people find Jesus, there’ll be a need for people to be restrained. There’ll be the need for humanity to be ruled by law and by the sword of retribution (Romans 13:1-7). This is why we will always need law enforcement to guard our streets and communities. Otherwise crime will overrun our cities. Humanity’s sinful nature is also why we’ll always need a strong military. Otherwise enemies will attack our borders and take away our freedoms. And in America’s case, our economic and military strength will always morally obligate us to defend other nations who are attacked and oppressed by evil regimes.
We cannot overlook the damaging and dangerous effects of sin on our world. Sin has made our world a dangerous place. So pray for our uniformed services and law enforcement officers who protect our lives every day. And remember those who’ve given their lives to preserve ours. And pray for the furtherance of the Gospel, which alone has the power to transform our sinful hearts and save us eternally (Romans 1:16-17).
PRAYER: Almighty and merciful Father, we thank you for those brave men and women who protect our communities, guard our borders, and defend us against evil empires which seek to dominate the world. Thank You for raising up people who are willing to put their lives on the line for the rest of us. Please guard and protect them in their hazardous duty and grant them complete success in their missions. But Father, we also pray that You will raise up laborers for the Gospel harvest. Raise up men and women of God to proclaim the Gospel throughout America and the world. Anoint and empower them by Your Holy Spirit to effectively proclaim Your life-changing Gospel. Grant that miracles, signs, and wonders will be performed by their hands to confirm Your word and turn sinners to faith in Jesus Christ. O God, please pour out Your Spirit upon us and turn our hearts to You in faith and repentance and to each other in love and reconciliation. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
(Information from: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/alligator-attack-kiawah-island-south-carolina-victim-cynthia-covert-witness-police-report/)
