In the forested areas of Nigeria the potto, also known as the bush baby or bush bear, shares its surroundings with other little animals that are similar to it. The potto is a small animal, some species having just half a tail. It also has a sharp, pointed nose and small ears that are shaped like a human's. It seems to be pleased with its furry coat, because every night the coat is carefully licked clean and combed with its teeth.
God has created the potto to make it possible to follow its peculiar way of life. It has special limbs (arms and legs) which allow it to hang upside down from branches most of the time looking for leaves, fruit and insects to eat. To give it strength to move this way under the limbs of trees, the Creator has given it strong muscles. It uses these muscles even when sleeping, since it spends the night in the same upside-down position, clinging to the tree so tightly that no one could pry it loose. In fact, even death will not cause it to let go.
To help it live this unusual lifestyle it was created with its thumbs and big toes heading in opposite directions from its other fingers and toes. Its wrists and ankle joints are also turned so that its feet and hands are at right angles to its legs and arms.
But the most amazing thing about the potto is its hip joint. The connection of the thigh bone to the hip has an unusual swivel "ball and cup" arrangement. This allows either the lower or upper part of its body to completely turn around while the rest of its body remains stationary. When the potto wants to change direction while hanging from a limb, it remains upside down holding tightly with its hind feet. Then it tucks its head in and crawls over its chest and stomach and out through the hind legs, with its head pointing to the ground. Next, it reaches over its head with its forepaws, firmly grasping the branch. Then, releasing one hind leg at a time, the rest of its body turns over so it resumes a full upside-down position, now headed in the opposite direction. Isn't this an amazing performance?
Throughout God's creation there are vast numbers of unusual animals with peculiar habits adding greatly to the wonders of His creation. The Bible tells us that "The Lord bath made all things for Himself...." Prov. 16:44The Lord hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. (Proverbs 16:4). It was His joy to make so many different creatures, and He watches over each one carefully.
This reminds us that He has also made us and wants each of us to know Him, not only as our Creator, but also as our Lord and Savior and to be obedient to His Word, too. To do this we are called upon to control and direct "every thought to the obedience of Christ." 2 Cor. 10:55Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; (2 Corinthians 10:5). Are you doing this?