THE 5 LB GIANT IN THE LAND

    Living in rural WV, gives one the opportunity to encounter wildlife on a regular basis.   This morning, with coffee cup in hand and worship music in the background, I watched an interesting scene play out with  a couple of whitetail deer and a stray cat.

    A doe was grazing in the yard snacking on my weeping mulberry tree!  She meandered through our big yard toward the creek for a drink.  Suddenly she stopped at the edge of the clover patch planted by my neighbor several years ago. (I'm sure this neighbor is a hero in the animal kingdom and his good deed will be exalted in their oral history for years to come!)

    Everything in the doe was standing at attention as she tried to determine what was in her salad bowl.  She took a step forward and stomped her feet several times.  A 5 lb cat hunkered down and glared at the 100 lb doe.  This should not even be a contest. 

    The situation was complicated when Doe #2 came up over the creek bank.  Now there were two does looking at the cat but the calico stood her ground.  This was now her place to hunt for moles and mice.

    Doe #2 decided she didn't like Doe #1 and chased her down the creek and came back to confront the cat.  She snorted and stamped her feet at the edge of breakfast.  The cat didn't move.  Eventually, she walked across the road and into my yard and then back to the cat.  The situation didn't change.  The cat didn't move despite the obvious difference in size.  She could have easily scampered up a tree but didn't.  Doe #2 gave up and disappeared into the trees.

    I pondered how easily two big does allowed themselves to be denied the rich blessing provided for them in that clover patch by one 5 lb cat that exhibited intimidating behavior.  The cat didn't even move.

    How many times does God provide a rich blessing for us and we let something intimidate us?  Even though we might be chosen, prepared and hungry for what He offers we allow obstacles, even small ones, to stop us from moving forward to claim the prize!

    In Numbers 13 we see an example of this when Moses sent 12 scouts to check out the land of Caanan.  They reported it really was a land of "milk and honey" and produced incredible fruit - it took two men to carry one cluster of grapes!

    But here is what they focused on in verses 31-33:

31 But the men that went up with him said, We are not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.

32 And they brought up an evil report of the land which they had searched unto the children of Israel, saying, The land, through which we have gone to search it, is a land that eats up the inhabitants thereof; and all the people that we saw in it are men of a great stature.

33 And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.

    Joshua and Caleb were the only two that returned wanting to follow through on God's instruction to take the land.  They did not focus on the size of the giants but on the faithfulness of God. 

    I believe there are blessings God has in mind for us but we feel like grasshoppers in a land of giants when we are really  a 100 lb deer up against a 5 lb cat.  What is God offering us and what keeps us frozen in our tracks? 

    It might be:

• a relationship we won't embrace because we are afraid of being hurt again
  
• an opportunity to go back to school but we are not sure we have what it takes
  
• a knowing inside us that Jesus wants a more intimate relationship but we don't feel worthy or are afraid of what it will cost us
  
• freedom from a perspective that keeps us captive such as unforgiveness, materialism or an addictive behavior 

   
    The scouts saw themselves as grasshoppers.  The deer in my yard were intimidated by a small intruder a fraction of their size. 

    Remember who you are in Christ - you are "more than a conqueror" and "...all things work together for good for those that love Him and are called according to His purpose". (Rom 8:28)  If you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, that is you, my friend. 

    If not, take a moment to say, "Jesus, I want you in my life.  Take my heart and forgive me for all the wrong things I've done.  I want you to be the Lord of my life and accept you as my Savior.  I accept your sacrifice and believe you are the living God.  Help me to learn to love you and know the purpose you have chosen for me." 

    If you prayed this prayer of salvation, your adventure has just begun.  Learning  to receive God's love is the beginning.  Understanding your identity and purpose is an exciting part of the journey!  I'd love to hear about it!

    In the mean time, focus on the faithfulness of God and ask Him  " What is the 5 lb cat keeping me from by blessing?"

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