We went hunting this weekend, and I was blessed beyond belief with my son and the men that was there… but above it all, I had the most amazing time with God in the bush.
There was one event in particular, where a situation occurred and we had to go look for an animal.
I was standing with my binoculars, scanning all directions, right on a crossroads, and asked our guide if I may perhaps take a walk to see what I can see. I walked up the road to a point where the marks on the dirt road indicated to me action happened, and set off into the bush, trying to follow the tracks, the “spoor”
Now it’s important to note that I am no good at this. But I was speaking to God as I am walking, asking Him to Guide my steps.
“Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.”
(Psalms 119:133 NIV)
I know that it’s not the meaning of the verse, but I was having a moment with God, and He was having a teaching opportunity with me!
So… I would spot the “spoor” – I single, more heavily indented step, between the dead grass on the ground. One, two… maybe a third, then lose it, as the animal changed direction.
So I would stop, listen, and slowly look around, asking God, “Ok, where to now?” And would take tentative steps not to disrupt anything but scanning in a half moon pattern in the direction I think I am supposed to go. After a few moments, I find a new spoor and can go a bit more.
I few times I was stumped. And literally asked God “Left or Right” and followed that voice, picking up the spoor again just a few meters in. And so I walked and walked, picking up another one and another one… starting to recognize the shape and size, so that my confidence level started climbing. But then I lose it and stop. Ask God to open my eyes, or show a direction, and I got back on track…
A few times I went where I Thought the animal would go to, or where the path through the bush was easier, but had to return every time and hear God’s voice because… obviously the spoor was not where it was easy, or where I thought it may be… The tracks were indeed… where they were! I could have feelings about the direction they went, but in the end, to follow, I need to go where they were.
Now. It would be an amazing end to the story if I could report that I found the animal. I did not. The Guides did, because they know their farm. They know their animals, and they successfully used the resources that was available to them. But I was on the right track the whole time, and met up with them next to the harvested animal.
But as I was lying in bed that night, God revisited that walk with me.
I may occasionally have lost my path and direction, but He was always walking with me. I could always ask. I recognised the signs in the bush of where I was supposed to go, and got better at spotting the tell-tale signs, as I went.
It’s quiet in the bush… well… noisy from birds and wind and trees, but a natural quiet. It was like hearing God’s voice, was His voice flowing on the wind.
But I kept on thinking about this, back in the city’s hustle and bustle.
Is every day not a walk with God? Is every problem we solve not the same? Is our life not this walk with God? To His calling? For His purpose?
We use our skills that of has given us, but sometimes we lose the ”spoor” and we have to stop, get on our haunches and ask God for direction.
But the city is noisy… isn’t it?
And the speed is a run, not a trot and definitely not a walk. (I even find myself double timing my bible reading some days because of time!) So taking the time to stop, and listen to God’s guidance, God’s words… actually just doesn’t happen, does it?
“I would love to hear your thoughts on the matter God, but you have to talk to me on the go, I can’t slow down now… I need to do this, this and that…”
But what happens when you rush off and you don’t know where you are going? Chances are you are going to make mistakes, you are going to get tripped up…
But the psalmist gives us hope, even through our mad-rush, pressed for time, lives:
“though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.”
(Psalms 37:24 NIV)
Take a few minutes today… go sit on your haunches, mute your phone, and close your ears to the world, and ask God:
“Am I going to the right way? Direct me please…” – and then listen… Really listen… even if it feels like you hear nothing, listen with your heart.
God will not disappoint you!
