The Watery Rut

The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. “I will make you into a great nation,
and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 
I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran.

Genesis 12:1-4 (NIV)

Sunlight glistened from the wake of a creature in my lake. Its route passed close to the shore, turned and ventured back to its same path. 

            The speed of the critter was too fast for a turtle. The wake too large for a snake. From a distance, I thought perhaps it was a duck or snake bird. Binoculars proved it was neither of them nor an otter. 

            Day after day I watched the unusual pattern in the lake but couldn’t figure out what it was. Then my neighbor took a video of the perplexing animal and determined it was a large carp. 

            The fish’s long, shiny body slithered through the water. Occasionally, its tail fin protruded like a menacing shark. Instead of crossing the lake, the carp circled an area in front of my home. 

            It could have explored the entire lake but remained within a relatively small section. Back and forth it went but never far from shore. Perhaps food was plentiful there. Maybe other animals stayed away. But the unusual fish never found out if food was more abundant and flavorful near the far shore. What did he miss by staying in the same place? 

            Perhaps we do the same thing. Instead of venturing into new territories and situations, do we remain where everything is familiar? Are we afraid to take risks and explore new opportunities? 

            I don’t want to be like the carp who is caught in a watery rut but look forward to investigating untried adventures and challenges whether big or small. 

            . The main thing is to not be afraid to get out of the rut.  

Loving Father, show us how to explore and enjoy your world. There are so many opportunities that we miss when we are afraid to leave our routine. Give us courage to listen and obey when you lead us.

Amen

Flee Like a Deer

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 12:2 (NIV)

As the sun rose behind the forest, I settled into my morning routine on my patio. With an open Bible and devotionals ready, an unusual movement outside caught my eye. 

            A doe sauntered along my shore in the dim light. Her head turned and megaphone ears pointed toward me. 

            I became a statue to avoid any sound or motion that would scare her away. She walked a few steps, stopped, faced me and turned away to sample fresh needles from one of my cypress trees. 

            At the same time, another deer came into view. I barely breathed as the splendid duo visited my yard for a few minutes. Then without another glance at me, they continued their morning stroll along the lake. 

            God made the striking creatures with an especially sharp sense of hearing and smell. Their strong legs carry them swiftly from danger. They constantly stop, look, smell and listen to protect themselves from any threat. As soon as they discern possible peril, they flee. 

            We can learn from the deer. Although our hearing and smell are not as keen as deer, God has given us other ways to discern possible risks. Daily, we can pause to see if danger lurks in who or what we listen to and participate in. Are we involved in following people or ideas that are contrary to God’s Word? Do we get swept along with the crowd to feel accepted instead of standing firmly with our values? Instead of conforming to the world, do we flee from harmful people, activities and beliefs? 

            The deer showed how they calmly search for danger but didn’t become anxious. What a valuable lesson for us. 

Loving Father, show us how to be in your world but not to be entangled by it. Show us how to sense danger and flee so we live the way you want us to live. 

Amen

Darkness over the Light

It was now the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour, for the sun stopped shining. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. Jesus called out in a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.” When he had said this, he breathed his last.

Luke 23:44-46 (NIV)

A burst of pink erupted from darkness and captured the morning. The blaze of color reflected on the lake while a symphony of birds accompanied the glorious, spectacle. 

            However, within minutes, a curtain of gray replaced the vibrant rosy color of the sky and water. An appropriate scene for Good Friday. 

            Over two thousand years ago, Jesus brought his light into a dark world. For three years he patiently taught a ragtag group of twelve men. They left families, homes and jobs to be his chosen disciples. 

            They learned from Jesus as they watched him show compassion and love to outcasts. His methods and instructions clashed with what they had been taught. But they trusted and stayed to learn and love better. They never imagined how their lives would be changed because of Jesus.

        His parables and teachings amazed both his disciples and the throngs who followed him. 

        Healings and the feeding of multitudes brought more and more people to observe the miracles. Many only watched the miraculous signs but others believed he was the Messiah. 

            Religious leaders opposed Jesus. His disciples urged him to avoid Jerusalem because they sought to kill him. Nevertheless, Jesus led them to the Holy city for Passover. 

            Like the gloom that quickly appeared over my lake, the joyful celebration of Palm Sunday faded away with shouts of “Crucify him!”

            Even after declaring allegiance to their Messiah, the disciples deserted him, with one betrayal, as Jewish leaders and Roman soldiers led their Savior away. 

            Fear for their lives, put them into hiding. Peter even denied Jesus publicly three times that night. 

            Jesus endured fake trials and beatings. Alone. Deserted by those who professed loyalty. 

            For us, he hung on a rough cross between two criminals. Despised. Spit on. Mocked. For a time, darkness overcame the Light. 

            Despair filled hearts of the disciples, the loyal women who followed Him and faithful ones in the crowd. Even a few secret followers among the Jewish leaders felt misery. 

            Hope died as he perished on the hated cross. Unanswered questions filled their minds. How could their Messiah die? How could he leave them when they desperately needed to be rescued? 

            Two thousand years later, we often feel lost and in need of rescue too. At times we face darkness that seems unrelenting. The agony of Good Friday reminds us of how Jesus loved us so much that He gave up His life for our sins. 

            Good Friday is a time to reflect and remember how Jesus rescued us. 

Loving Father, what love you have for us to give up Your Son to die for sinners. He endured unfathomable pain and distress for us. Thank you for the gift of salvation. Help us share the Gospel with those who don’t know You.

Amen