One can be attracted to anything when visiting vast estates. I generally veer
towards the gardens, as I love admiring plant life. Not today though! Although
the gardens were stunning, my attention was riveted on a specific stone
painting.
The painting showed a herd of elk being driven into a river. A myriad of canoes
waited in the water, each manned with native warriors armed with spears. The
purpose? Once in the water, the elk would be easy prey for the awaiting
warriors.
It's amazing how long-buried memories can resurface in an instant! At the sight
of that picture, my mind flashed back to something I had learned in history
class: One way to assure a successful elk hunt was to approach the herd with
lots of noise from all sides but one. Hemmed in and scared to death by the
noise, the elk will not turn to face the enemy. Instead, they will turn tail and
run for the only opening available to them, in this case, the river. Though good
swimmers, elk are no match for the swift canoes and their native warriors.
Dozens could be speared in just a few minutes.
If you think about it, had these elks turned to face what they thought to be
their "enemy", the noise, they likely would have forced their way through the
lines with very few casualties! A bad choice cost the lives of many in the herd.
Just like the elk, we also often face heavy trials, many of which originate
directly from the demons of hell. And just like the elk, our tendency is to run
away from them as fast as we can. However, reality dictates that you can't run
from your problems, and sooner or later, similar (or worse!) circumstances will
return with even more vengeance. Running away only makes us weaker and more
vulnerable.
In such situations, some look towards leadership for direction. Incidentally,
this is what the elk do, and their leaders lead them right into the trap. This
is often the case with our own trials as well. Misplaces leadership can lead to
catastrophe. Although we need to respect our leaders, no matter the cost, we
need to look to a much higher source for direction. One and only One can help us
out of our mess and lead us to safety! He is the head of all leaders, the
solution to all of our tumultuous situations. Anything else will only tend to
make us more vulnerable!
"He (Jesus) is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the
firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the
supremacy." (Col 1:18 NIV)
"All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me… And surely I am with
you always, to the very end of the age." (Matt 28:18, 20 NIV)
"The Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials…" (2 Peter 2:9 NIV)
Who will you follow when all hell breaks loose? I vouch for Jesus. He has never
let me down!
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
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The Nugget: Published three times a week, this newsletter features inspirational devotionals and mini-sermons dedicated to drawing mankind closer to each other and to Christ.