Taking Shelter for Granted

It doesn't happen all that often. But when it does, BOY does it get your attention! My morning walk and my morning reading had those similarites that make you sit and say, "Okay, God, You have my attention!"

So I was walking my last block before home...feet hurting and sunburn pinching...ready to be home but knowing I could make this last measly block. And he sat there staring. This little chipmunk, up to no good on someone's front stoop. When he saw me coming, he panicked and took off for shelter. This little chipmunk looked ridiculous running into a downspout to hide. But the funny part was what surprised him in there---apparently a bird had already sought that same place for shelter and the two of them had it out for their territory. Chirping, barking, scratching and fluttering...fighting for where they shouldn't be in the first place! A good, heavy rain and they'd both be out of luck for a safe harbor.

Then my reading landed in I Samuel 4. The story was about the Israelites preparing for a second battle against the Philistines. They were so stunned from their last battle, losing 4,000 soldiers, that they decided it would benefit them to have the ark of the covenant with them. They figured if God resided between the cherubim, they would be protected by bringing Him into battle with them. However, their false hope caused not only 30,000 soldiers' lives to be lost, but also the ark to be taken captive and never found again.

Both of these "episodes" have reminded me that I can't take my faith for granted. The Israelites chose to use their faith as a talisman--hoping that other religions' superstitions would work for them here by having the ark "on their side." What they failed to realize was that God would have been with them if the ark would have remained in Shiloh! God isn't a god of ritual and superstition. He desires a personal relationship with us on a heart-level...not just by ritual and routine.

And in that personal relationship, we need to be careful not to put false hope in what we do to grow closer to Him. I can't have my worship time with God in the morning and expect it to "work" all day. Granted, it gives a GREAT start to my day and I'm lost without it! But I can't forget everything He's taught me throughout the rest of the day. When evening comes, am I quick to anger? Forgetful of where I get my strength? Frustrated at little things? Irritated with the people around me? Have I taken a false shelter where I only find competition, fighting, and no real safety at all?

I guess watching that chipmunk reminded me of myself. I see something that makes me nervous, so I run to what I think is the nearest "shelter of His wings." Really, it's some other false shelter--my home, my "safezone", knitting, an old movie, food, etc... I will never find peace in those shelters because the covers are transparent. They offer no protection from the sun.

I can only get real protection from The Son. And that is where I need to rest all throughout the day...