Lessons from the Woods #1 of 3

There is something about being in the woods in the early morning hours, long before the sun has risen, and the night still blankets the entire world, and I am finding my way to my deer stand-that stirs something in me.

It gives me goose bumps.

Not necessarily the good kind.

Goose bumps that arise from ... well, fear! It is the kind of fear that fires your imagination to wonder what is behind every tree, and every sound, and every movement. It is an exhilarating feeling, even if it is borne in momentary trepidation.

I remember the first year when I took up hunting. It was my first "black as night" morning. I was in route to my stand. Carefully, I traipsed along quietly. (Cue Elmer Fudd hunting music). Just then the unthinkable happened.

Beneath my very feet, the woods suddenly and without warning exploded in a thunderous explosion of noise and eruption of movement! I could very nearly feel the movement upon my face like a rushing breath of wind.

I had stepped into a covey of quail. (Later we figured there were probably no less than twenty of those tiny little birds).

Their last minute escape to flight felt like it was going to be my last minute upon this planet! There I stood. Immobilized. My movement to the deer stand was replaced with heavy breathing, loud-and-audible heart pounding, weak knees, and immobility.

Fear will do that to you.

Fear plays upon your imagination. Fear makes something out of nothing. Fear immobilizes. Fears make the worst of any situation or circumstance.

Is it any wonder that the Bible frequently tells us "fear not"?

So what do you do, when overwhelmed with fear? Well, usually a little "light" on the situation makes all the difference.

Jesus said:

"I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

What fear are you delicately walking around? What circumstance or situation has your imagination racing? Where are the "monsters" lurking in the dark?

What would happen if you allowed "Light" to shine upon that part of your life?

In your prayers today, would you bring the light of God's presence and power into your journey?