Through the woods

This morning I decided I would go for a run.  I told my husband that I was running from our house, through the greenbelts, to the river, through the woods and would meet him at my father in law's house. 

You see, in order to get to my father in law's house the way I was running, I had to cross the woods.  I would not recommend it for just anybody but I have made this run several times and am very familiar with these woods.  Perhaps I have a false sense of security but it is not an easy trek. It is not a long distance but it is a challenge. 

So this morning as I ran, I had an excuse for everything.  I was hot, my legs were heavy, I had increased my distance.....and so on.  I turned to go to the river and I faced a new fear-snakes! I mean I was terrified.  I immediately began quoting "He has given you authority over the scorpions and snakes....He who dwells in the shelter of the most high will rest in the shadow of the all mighty....The Lord is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear!"  I feared snakes that's what!

I continued on and saw a thick tree branch that extended onto the greenbelt and had visions of a snake "hanging from the tree" and falling on my back.  I then envisioned pulling the snake off of me by it's tail and having fang marks up my back....the fear was fierce.  I kept praying and quoting scripture and snapped out of it as I approached the woods. 

I saw the entrance, I took my turn and then I was in it!  I was now in the woods.  As I ran, the ground had changed as I anticipated, the result of a drought in Houston.  I continued to run and found myself in sudden ruts and holes.  As I continue to nurse an unsteady ankle I hit a rut I was not expecting and felt the pain.  I whined and questioned and just didn't know why I would have to "sit out" again.  "I mean really God, I've been through a lot and why would my ankle heal only to be hurting again and while I'm at it God, what about everything else going on in my life....huh? huh? huh?"

Of course, when we are in those woods of life, it is never pleasant and as I ran I saw that a tree had uprooted and landed across my intended path-just par for the course!  I had one of two choices-go over or under it. No other choices.  In my exhaustion, I squatted under it and came up with new ammunition.  "Why would you put this tree in my path when it is taking every ounce of energy to continue?  Really God....why?

As I spoke those words, my voice sounded awful familiar.  I thought to myself "I know that voice."  I have been leading a Ladies Bible Study Class in which we are currently studying the books of the Old Testament.  That voice that was so familiar sounded like the voice of the Israelites. 

"Why did God bring us out of Egypt only to let us perish?  Why do we have to eat manna?  When are we going to hear from God?  We would have been better off if...."

Yes, that was my voice.  Here was the woman that had only moments ago quoted scripture to relieve the fear of snakes and now I sounded just like the Israelites.  With that awakening thought, I saw the clearing of the woods.  Just a little more and I would be out.  Unfortunately, many do not fight the fight.  Many turn and go back, get stuck in their woods, or just plain give up. 

Today's run taught me a lesson.  I had to go through to get to my father in law's house  and sometimes in life, we will all have to go through those woods, that dry land, that wilderness but in the end, we will be better and stronger for it.  God may allow that journey but He will never leave us.  He will always provide a way...a way that will usually result with a stronger relationship with Him.  I will not be "moved" by snakes or woods.  But I can only "not be moved" if I keep my sights on God.

He led you through the vast and dreadful desert, that thirsty and waterless land, with its venomous snakes and scorpions,  He brought you water out of hard rock.  He gave you manna to eat in the desert, something your fathers had never known, to humble and to test you so that in the end, it might go well with you. Deuteronomy 8:15-17

Luke 10:19 [I have given you authority]
Psalm 91:1 [He who dwells in the shelter...]
Psalm 27:1 [The Lord is my light and my salvation...]