The Firefly Dance
Let’s be honest. I’ve been camping….um…. a running total of twice in my lifetime. Life’s been to… rushed? frenzied? And bonding with the outdoors hasn’t exactly been a priority in my life. It just seemed like the perfect opportunity never came around. Getting ready for the race and buying all this camping gear has made me stop and consider my inexperience. While I’m excited at the opportunity to enjoy nature in a a way I have not had the chance to in the past, there’s a certain apprehension. Will I be the only novice in a sea of wilderness warriors? How does one choose the best gear to buy? Setting up that tent though… And then there’s the overwhelming premonition that living in nature will most certainly bring about disease and death. Ok, I’m exaggerating… but only slightly 😉 I’m sharing these fears with you because they are some that have been on my mind as of late.. maybe you have even thought of them for me. As each of you are journeying with me, I want to share with you how God leads us along. He uses our fears as an opportunity to build faith and to help us discover more about Him. His call is for us to go a little deeper and travel a little farther than before. With training camp fast approaching, I have begun trekking into the forests around my home. Friends and family have graciously come beside me and given loving, practical advice. As monsoon season in Texas is winding down, I have started a practice of taking a few minutes each day to do something nature oriented. Perhaps a walk down to the pond to listen to the cicadas playing one of their best concertos, stopping to drink in the beauty of a most breathtaking sunset, or at the very least sinking my bare feet into the ground and letting the stress of the day sink away. I also take this time to pray. To have an honest talk with God and then listen quietly to hear His answer. Many times He brings Scripture to mind to help me discern situations, other times my heart just bursts into praise for the beauty that He has created and the life that He is allowing me to live. Maybe you aren’t going on a trip around the world. Or you don’t struggle with same things I do. But you have fears and uncertainties… I know you do. What are they? Perhaps it’s time to take a jaunt into the forest and talk to God about them. If you’re lucky enough, the fireflies may be performing one of their exquisite dances like they so often do at dusk. And as they pirouette and twirl around you, perhaps you will join in their worship and perform a dance all your own.
XXX
