Ever Vigilant

There is an old native American (Cherokee Indian) legend about a youth's rite of passage into manhood. His father takes him deep into the forest one evening, blindfolds him and sits him on a stump. The boy is required to sit there all night and cannot remove his blindfold until the sun comes up in the morning. He also cannot cry for help and must persevere any encounter. If he survives the night, he will become a man.

As night comes the boy's senses scramble in his mind and his ears are on full alert. He hears the rustling of leaves, the howl of the wind, the beats of heavy wings, and footsteps of unknown creatures. The boy is naturally terrified and wild animals must surely be all around him. Perhaps even another human being might do him harm. But, he must sit there stoically, never removing his blindfold. It is the only way he can become a man.

Finally, after a night that seems to have lasted a week, the sun rises and he removes his blindfold. It is then that he discovers his father sitting on a stump next to him. He had been keeping watch throughout the night, protecting his son from harm.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
Psalm 23:4 (NIV)

We too, are never alone. For our Heavenly Father is consistently watching over us even during our lowest times when we feel lost, depressed, and alone. Even the times that we pray and do not think that He hears us...He does. Remember that even Jesus felt alone and abandoned on the cross...

"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
Matthew 27:46 (NIV)

God will not forsake us. What we need to remember is that everything is working according to His master plan. We may not know the reason(s) why things happen the way they do, but we must maintain our faith in His plan and stay faithful to His words.

May you walk in faith even during your most troubled times.

God bless you. And this is for His Glory!