A Bison, a Dumb Idea and a God-Idea

While having lunch at my home on Sunday, my kids told me this story. Last Wednesday, a 54-year-old woman motorcyclist was attacked by a bison in South Dakota when she sat in the grass to take a photo of a mother bison and her calf. She got way too close to the little family and another bison (maybe the dad bison) charged at the woman, hooked its horns into the belt loops of her jeans and flung her around in the air for a few seconds. The sheriff said the woman was "apparently saved when her pants came off and she fell to the ground unconscious." At that point, the sheriff said the attacking bison ran off with the rest of the herd. I understand she survived the attack – thank God! The gal who filmed the incident, posted this: “Please, please, please feel free to share this, so people understand they’re about to die when they confront an animal this powerful.”

Then, I remembered a similar story and asked my daughter if she remembered when she was about four years old, standing a distance away when her daddy and I had grabbed hold of a young calf to castrate him. The mama cow, rather than attacking us – went after Staci and, with her head, begin to bounce Staci in the air. Thankfully, Staci held onto her ears like riding a bucking bronco. Her daddy turned and kicked the cow who released our girl. It was a scary sight. Staci remembered.

I thought about those two incidents and how we MUST be watchful of everything we do that could give a foothold into our lives by the enemy of our souls. That’s why Godly wisdom is so important to our success in life. Proverbs 4:6-7 says: "Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it costs all you have, get understanding."

If anyone could speak to us about the snares, traps and lies of the enemy of our souls it was the Apostle Peter. Remember the many mistakes he made because of not recognizing he was a target of Satan? Peter was already in-the-making to be mightily used by God, so of course the enemy wanted to keep him from his destiny. Peter warned us with this: “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8) Peter understood who it was that tricked him into denying Christ, to cut off the soldier’s ear, to cower behind others. Peter goes on to tell us how to defeat the enemy. “Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings." 1 Peter 5:9

Wisdom, Holy Spirit’s voice and good old common sense is with us to keep us from making really dumb mistakes like playing around with wild animals or getting ourselves into compromising situations or simply choosing what we know God wants us to avoid. I really believe that God is leaning in close to His kids today to give us His wisdom for successfully living a victorious life in Him. As He leans in, may we lean in closer to Him to hear His voice and know His ways that will surely keep us safe, sound, and successful.

1 Kings 2:3 “Observe what the Lord your God requires: Walk in His ways, and keep His decrees and commands, His laws and requirements, as written in the Law of Moses, so that you may prosper in all you do and wherever you go.”

Pliable and Moldable in His Hands

How in the world did Sculptor Gutzon Borglum foresee the sculpted faces of U.S. presidents: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Theodore Roosevelt by just looking at a cliff in the Black Hills of South Dakota? But he did by envisioning what those Black Hills could become, and after 14 years, he finally completed his project — Mount Rushmore, which is truly a phenomenon.

And, just think of it....the Master Sculptor/Designer/Creator -- Father God -- has already visualized who we are to become. But in order for Him to make a beautiful monument of us....that others are inspired and drawn to Him by -- we must be pliable and moldable in His hands -- yielded to His will and way. And when we give way to thoughts like "It hurts too much" or "I can't take it anymore" or "I'm just fine the way things are", then we are refusing His desires to chip away and smooth out the rough edges in our lives, and make us into a fine work of art.

And what's the purpose of us being a fine work of art? He wants others to be awed by His handiwork -- so much so, that they are drawn to Him through us! As the Great Potter, God’s desire is to make us into a beautiful creation that is useful to Him. The key we must remember is that the Lord can only shape us if we submit to His loving hands and allow Him to do so.

Have Your way, Lord! Have Your way!
You are the Potter. I am the clay.
Mold me and make me, after your will.
While I am waiting -- yielded and still.