The breeze blew against my face and through me. I felt the regular rythym of my feet running beneath me, the swing of my Pandora station, the jingle of the dog's collar, and the beautiful silence of nature's music. "How could I be so lucky to get to run like this, here?" I asked myself, looking around at the nature skimming by me.
As my gps sounded out the third mile on my third lap through the tree farm, I nearly choked. "What is that horrible smell?" I needed all the oxygen I could get, and there was a shortage, replaced by the thickest, muskiest stench. I imagined a dump truck had been through and emptied a whole load of steer manure while I was off on the other side of the loop, but then again--that didn't smell like a farmyard. Instantly, I thought I knew the smell: a bear.
"Whatever." I said to myself and kept running. "It can't really be a bear. They don't smell that bad." I reassured myself. The collie at my left veered in close to my legs and stared at my face while we kept running. I suppose he was dropping hints. But I was enjoying myself (mostly), on a roll, and didn't quite believe what other's had said before me. Soon, I was in the woods. Yes, that area I never run in at night because its lonely, craggy, and looks like a movie set for something dramatic. Indeed, the scene was set.
A deep, loud, gruff snarling growl tore my silence and the brush began to crash towards (or around?) me. I froze. I forgot to pause my run timer and gps. The brave and gallant dog edged behind me and watched me, begging for us to go now. I began to back away slowly from the crashing, towards home, all the while grateful bears...are not completely like sin.
That's right. We run through life, enjoying everything we can for ourselves, easily ignoring the hints that the air itself gives. We easily avoid the warnings of trusted friends and soon wind up face to face with the consequences of our wrongdoings. Fortunately for me, bears often run away from people. But sin...You keep coming for it playfully, and it chases you down.
I Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:
It's true: the devil is your enemy right now and he wants to devour you. Not just tear a leg off and leave you bleeding out, but shred you up completely. Why do we run towards that eagerly in small areas of compromise, or knowingly put aside conscience or good advice in exchange for certain death? We own a place of security, still fraught with danger, but sure of ultimate security. Why pass that chance?
Psalms 91
1 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say of the LORD, [He is] my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.
3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;
6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.
8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.
9 Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;
10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.
11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.
15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.
16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.
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