Streams of Comfort

I have noticed in my life that there are things that seem natural to me but are contrary to God’s nature. It can be difficult to let go of those things as I continue to journey with Christ. I hope this week you are encouraged to let go of anything that feels part of your human nature, but God is encouraging you turn away from.

“Remember,” the wind whispers,
I turn my head at the sound,
Seeing nothing as usual but feeling the breeze all around me,
It is the third time this week I have heard this whisper.
I have been searching for something in a vast forest,
Winding through maple, silver birch, and oak trees,
Stepping over tree roots and uneven ground,
While my eyes comb through every inch of this forest in pursuit of something I want to hold onto.
It is my third time searching this week,
But I have been unable to find what I am looking for,
I still can’t remember what I have forgotten.
The calls of distant animals, buzzing of insects, and the crunch of loose branches under my feet,
Fills the forest with life and sound,
That I find comforting.
I reach a small clearing that I have not come across before,
And I notice the sounds of the forest I found comfort in,
Have fallen silent.
I am surprised to see a red fox standing in the middle of the clearing,
Not yet fully grown,
Its pointed ears alert and its red coat shining in the sunlight.
We lock gazes for a moment,
And then I remember,
That it’s this red fox I have been looking for,
My craftiness and wisdom that have preserved and protected me,
And will continue to preserve and protect me.
The fox keeps its distance and does not approach me,
We stare at each other for what seems like an eternity,
And then I finally understand the reason for its distance,
It no longer belongs to me.
The breeze picks up around us in response to my realization,
And I remember what I must do,
The purpose of finding this fox in the first place.
I place my right arm lax at my side,
And resist the temptation I feel to reach out toward the fox,
Remaining completely still.
The fox seems to understand my decision,
And turns to run into the thick brush on the other side of the clearing,
Going deeper into the forest,
Disappearing from my sight,
And taking the part of my human nature God has been leading me to let go of with it.
I have now chosen to trust completely in God,
Not myself anymore,
So I no longer need it anymore,
Without glancing back I turn the opposite way and head back,
The forest filling with the sound of animal calls, buzzing insects, and the crunching of loose branches and leaves under my feet once again.