–Kenneth S. Pratt  (Return to Willow Falls)

       “Your ears shall hear a word behind you saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ Whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left.”

                         –Isaiah 30:21 (NKJV)
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Something to think about.  We know that “perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment…” (1 John 4:18, NKJV)  Two years ago proved that fear is torment.  Fear causes men and women to do and act strangely.  Some may cower, others become belligerent.  Some went into despair while others were ready to fight.  Confusion abounded.  All because of a virus.  Fear had struck.
       If fear is cast away by love then fear must be self-seeking.  It is selfish, and only seeks relief for the individual.  Selfishness and fear go hand in hand.  Look for a moment at the words of Mark.

               “On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, ‘Let us cross over to the other side.’  Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was.  And other little boats were also with Him.  And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.  But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow.  And they awoke Him and said to Him, ‘Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?'”

                              –Mark 4:35-39 (NKJV)

After all Jesus had already shown the disciples they allowed fear to dominate them.  The storm didn’t bring fear into their lives, it uncovered the fear that was lurking in their hearts and minds.  This fear, not the storm, caused the disciples to panic, and they were upset that Jesus could sleep through such a storm.  Then the selfishness appeared, “doesn’t He care that we are perishing?”  They began to accuse Him that He didn’t care about them.
       I found in reading these verses something that I had never noticed before.  There were other little boats on course with them.  “The disciples were so full of fear for their own lives that they neglected the fact that there were also other little boats traveling with them–yet they were the ones who actually had Jesus in their boat!  Likewise, whatever storm we may find ourselves in, we must realize that there are many others in the same storm.  However, we are the ones who have the Savior in our life, in our very own boat, meaning that there is no way we are going down.” (Carter Conlon)  

               “Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace, be still!’  And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.  But He said to them, ‘Why are you so fearful?  How is it that you have no faith?’  And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, ‘Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!'”
                              –Mark 4:40-41 (NKJV)

       It seems that they didn’t hear the rebuke or didn’t take it to heart for immediately, they were afraid, yet in a different manner.  Fear had brought them anguish, now it is fear that makes them wonder.  When we can finally “take our eyes off ourselves,” recognize His love for us, and “enter into the work of the Lord that we will be empowered by a spirit of love rather than driven by a spirit of fear.” (Conlon)
       Do not worry or be afraid of the world around you if you are following Jesus.  Charles Spurgeon said, “It is good to sail with Jesus even if you are in a small boat.  When we sail in Christ’s fleet it does not necessarily mean fair weather for us; huge storms may toss the ship carrying the Lord Himself.  Thus, we should not expect to find a sea less rough around our little boat.”  He slept in the boat with the disciples, however, now He is awake, with us facing the storm.
      If Jesus was in the boat with the disciples, I can imagine the thoughts of those in the other boats where the Master was not present.  If fear was upon the disciples, what manner of fear must have been on the others.  We know because of the virus that fear is a great crippler, not only of the individual, but of society.  As we resolve to have faith and not let fear dominate our lives. “Many people’s lives will be spared as you make the choice to embrace the will of God, moving away from fear and bringing you into the work of God, empowered by His love.” (Conlon)

                         –Lou Bradshaw  (Abe)

       “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.”

                         –Philippians 4:11(NKJV)
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                         “What ho!  what ho!
                         this fellow is dancing mad!
                                He hath been bitten by the Tarantula.”
                                     –Edgar Allen Poe

What is it that has bitten you?  For instance, man has often been allured by gold.  Some would say they have been bitten by the “Gold Bug” and they can’t stop searching for the substance and the way to wealth and riches.  Have to make a dollar, then a dollar more, then more than a dollar.  It goes on and on and on.  But wealth is always seeming to elude them.  
       Whatever a person searches for and if they get it, they always want more, or the new model.  A new phone comes out, a body already has a good one, yet they cannot withstand the wanting of a new one, with better features.  But a sound system (remember those?) and a person wants a better one.  It doesn’t matter what, man is never satisfied with what he has–or to be honest, few men are.
       Are you telling me that you don’t want more?  Have you ever played the lottery?  Why, doesn’t God satisfy your need?  Are you telling the truth about possessions?  In my ethics class I would ask students to write down what they would save if they were in a burning house and only had the time to save three items.  What would they be?  What comes to your mind?  However, that is not a real good question anymore, because most Americans can go out and buy whatever is destroyed, unless…
       Remember the story Jesus told of the rich man (Luke 12:12-21):

               “But God said to him, ‘Fool!  This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?  So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.  But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.”
                            –Luke 12:20-21; Matthew 6:33 (NKJV)

Are you hearing God’s warnings about priorities?  What is important to you and then what are you doing about it?  Let’s take a closer look at the rich man–see if you fit into any of these categories.

               “What does the rich man do, surrounded by a great supply of many blessings beyond all numbering?  In distress and anxiety, he speaks the words of poverty.  He says, ‘What should I do?’  He does not raise his eyes to God.  He does not count it worth his while to gain for the mind those treasures that are above in heaven.  He does not cherish love for the poor or desire the esteem it gains.  He does not sympathize with suffering.  It gives him no pain nor awakens his pity.  Still more irrational, he settles for himself the length of his life, as if he would also reap from the ground.  He says, ‘I will say to myself, “Self, you have goods laid up for many years.  Eat, drink, and enjoy yourself.”‘  ‘O rich man,’ one may say, ‘You have storehouses for your fruits, but where will you receive your many years?  By the decree of God, your life is shortened.'”
                                 –Cyril of Alexandria

       I also recall the words of James, “Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit’; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow.  For what is your life?  It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away.”  (4:13-14, NKJV)
      So what Tarantula has bitten you?  What do you seek out of life?  A person may be rich in gold and silver, rich in goods and homes, but poor in life.  Some are too busy scratching their itch for wealth and then more that they forget to look at the blessings that God has already bestowed.  What is the old saying, “As you go along the path of life don’t forget to take time to smell the roses”?  
       Regarding the rich and their wealth I would ask, are you really living life?  Or are you like the miner, constantly looking for that strike, always wanting a little more?  Our mission in life is to worship God.  To recognize His character and seek to be more like Him.  To love Him with our complete being (which is worship) and to love our neighbors.  Don’t miss out of the little blessings of life in seeking something that is perishable.

               “But they’ve never seen the northern lights,
               They never seen a hawk on the wing,
               They never seen spring on the great divide,
               And they never heard ol’ camp cookie sing.”  
                         –Michael Burton

And they’ve never seen ol’ Ira clog in the kitchen.  Look for God’s blessings–enjoy them, now!

                         –Zechariah 13:9 (NLT)
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               “Sin is deadly.  It is the one thing God won’t tolerate.  The war between good and evil is to the death.  And you lend yourself to it without knowing to what dirty enterprise you have sold yourself…until you see that cross…  So it is with sin.  You can discuss it academically.  You can even argue whether there is such a thing or not, or whether it is all the imagination of the moralists.  But then go and look at the cross.  It does that.  It is the most deadly thing known to God and man.  It would slay the body and damn the soul.  It is hell’s worst.  You can see it when you gaze upon the cross.”
                          –William E. Sangster

       A few years back as I walked the rim of the Grand Canyon, I pondered what those that first saw it might have thought and experienced.  Those men of Coronado’s were most likely tired, weary, and thirsty for they had been traveling through the desert for weeks.  Frustration marked their steps as the thing–gold–which they were seeking continually eluded them.  Hope was dwindling; perhaps they thought they might die.  Then the earth dropped off in front of them.  Stopped in their tracks they could go no further.  The way was barred by the Grand Canyon.
       Despite their condition, no doubt they marveled at what lay before them–one of the greatest wonders of nature.  Mouths must have dropped open in amazement and awe; weariness forgotten for the moment as they were lost in the spectacular sight.  They saw the different shades of color as the sun shone down upon the canyon walls.  They could not begin to grasp the enormity of the sight before them.
       Then reality hit them–there was no way across.  At one point, it is twenty-three miles across and a mile deep.  Now the wonder turned to despair, depression and loss of hope.  Their elusive dream may lie on the other side but there was not away to cross.  Some may have cried, some may have expressed anger, some may have suggested they return, failing in their quest.  These explorers, conquistadors who were men of arms, excited with the prospect of finding riches were now thwarted on their journey.
       Perhaps now is a good time to sit and look at your situation.  You have come a great way in this journey of life, but now there is a great chasm that may be in front and hindering your progress.  It could be real or illusionary, but you must deal with it.  What is it that stands between you and the other side?  What is it that you cannot seem to overcome?
       Have you sought the elusive wonder of wealth, fame, prosperity, or glory?  Now you are confronted with reality; there is something between you and God.  At least you have made it to this realization.  Others, when searching, see the great distance and cry, “Woe is me!”, and die chasing their fantasy into the wilderness.  Others will look in despair for there is no way to make it to the other side.  Hope may die within them.
       There is a great chasm that all men need to cross; the canyon of sin.  There was no way that man could get across, but then God provided a way in Jesus.  The cross of Christ is the means across the canyon.  Perhaps you have forgotten the day you ventured to cross in another trek; a way that proved fruitless and wasteful.  Sit and look out; realize that God provides the way.
       Perhaps the canyon in front of you is a circumstance, obstacle, or situation in life that seems insurmountable.  There is no way to cross or overcome the trouble and problems that confront you.  Sit back, renew your commitment to the Lord.  When there seems to be a great barrier in front of you remember what Christ did for you on the cross and look to your heavenly Father for guidance.  He will show you the pathway through your trials and troubles.
                         
–Taken from “Trails in the Wilderness” published by D.C. Adkisson, 2017.