As we approach our Animal Sunday Service, where we celebrate the animal kingdom and raise money for local charities, I wanted to reflect on the significance of living side-by-side with our pets on this earthly plane and the special spiritual connection that endures.
Do Animals have a Soul?
One of the founding principles of our church is that “all life is equal”. So we believe that al sentient beings have souls.
Having lived with a dog, cat, hamster, parrot, you can have no doubt that they have their own unique characters.
Can Animals Sense Spirits?
Through our church community we’ve heard many stories of pets appearing to sense spirit, through their unusual behaviour.
This may not be that surprising if we believe that animals have a different level of awareness in the way they perceive this earthly reality.
Pets are free from the pressures and worries that we as humans often suffer.
Their priorities are basic survival, food, water, shelter. Perhaps freeing up their consciousness to see beyond the veil, all be it for brief moments.
Will we see our Pets in Heaven?
Most people in our community believe that animals have a place in heaven and we will be greeted by them along side our human loved ones, when we pass to the spirit realm.
In church, mediums regularly bring through animals from spirit as they bring through evidence of life after death.
Receiving pets from spirit in a clairvoyant reading can be just as emotional as hearing from a human family member. We should remember though, that the learning our pets experience on the earth plane is likely different to our own spiritual pathway and they are not meant to be here for longer. That doesn’t necessarily make the grief we feel any lighter though.
Do Pets give us Healing?
Our pets often seem to have an inherent healing power and ability to give comfort in our times of need.
Perhaps thats because their motives are so pure, they can channel the divine energy.
But also our pets can need healing themselves too and in church we often receive dogs, cats and others in to our healing room, following special HPAI guidelines for healing pets.
Animals featured in the Bible
Animals appear throughout the Bible, often as symbols of God’s care, wisdom, guidance, and spiritual teaching.
From the dove returning to Noah with an olive branch in Genesis, symbolising hope and renewal, to the lamb representing innocence, sacrifice, and ultimately Christ himself, animals play an important role within biblical storytelling.
Jesus frequently used animals in his teachings, speaking of lost sheep, sparrows cared for by God, and the faithfulness of shepherds tending their flocks.
Proverbs also points to animals as teachers of wisdom, encouraging people to observe creatures such as ants for lessons in diligence and preparation.
Animals have a key role in this world and the next.
So as Christian Spiritualists we recognise the importance of the animal kingdom not only in the ecosystem or our planet but also in our personal day-to-day lives and as part of our own spiritual development.
Our animal service is an opportunity to celebrate our pets!
