I love Aesop’s Fables. They are as relevant today as they were when Aesop was born in approximately 620 BC. His short, pithy stories are as relevant today as they were when he wrote them because human nature has not changed.
One of my favorite fables is the Belling of the Cat. Here is a translation of the story from read.gov:
Belling the Cat
The Mice once called a meeting to decide on a plan to free themselves of their enemy, the Cat. At least they wished to find some way of knowing when she was coming, so they might have time to run away. Indeed, something had to be done, for they lived in such constant fear of her claws that they hardly dared stir from their dens by night or day.
Many plans were discussed, but none of them was thought good enough. At last, a very young Mouse got up and said:
"I have a plan that seems very simple, but I know it will be successful.
All we have to do is to hang a bell about the Cat's neck. When we hear the bell ringing we will know immediately that our enemy is coming."
All the Mice were much surprised that they had not thought of such a plan before. But amid the rejoicing over their good fortune, an old Mouse arose and said:
"I will say that the plan of the young Mouse is very good. But let me ask one question: Who will bell the Cat?"
It is one thing to say that something should be done, but quite a different matter to do it.
There are so many ways this fable can be applied to our lives, but let’s look at it from a Christian perspective. There are so many things we could do that, if we were brave, would make a huge difference for us and for our neighbors… in some cases, our world.
Sometimes, we don’t do them because of sloth. We are simply too lazy to take on the duties. We find excuses, and we don’t move ahead.
But often what others interpret as sloth is really our fear.
We don’t offer to serve as a greeter at church because we are uncertain of what people will say to us and how we should respond.
We don’t offer to be a reader at church because we are afraid of speaking in public.
We don’t speak of Christ to our friends and neighbors because we are afraid that they will reject us or speak badly of us. Or, we are afraid we won’t represent Christ appropriately.
So, how do we get over this fear?
We bell the cat.
And, Scripture tells us how to do it.
First, we hone our skills so that we aren’t in unfamiliar territory. David guarded sheep and knew how to use a slingshot and rock against wild animals long before he took on Goliath. We can buddy with a more experienced friend at the greeting door. We can read Scripture to our family or our spouse to become familiar with reading out loud.
Trust me, the cat wasn’t the first thing the mouse belled. He practiced.
Second, we give our fear a name. A cat is visible. Our fears often aren’t. Name them! Once they have a name and you can call them out, you reduce them in size to what they really are. You can examine them and decide how to overcome them. Give your fear a name and a size—you will be better able to bell it.
Third, we turn to Scripture for Strength. As David told Saul. “The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine.” (1 Samuel 17: 37, NIV) God will strengthen us for the battles He wants us to fight. But, He doesn’t want us to bell every cat. So, how do we know which cats are ours to bell?
We seek God’s will through prayer and Scripture reading, and we do not move ahead until we hear that still small voice that tells us to. But, we need to first say to God, “If it is your will, send me.” That is a brave step.
Someone must step forward to bell the cat.
Someone must be brave, prepared, and volunteer.
God will strengthen the person He calls for the task.
Tell God you are willing to bell the cats He needs you to bell.