Still Learning

by Macy Johnson

“The infant will play near the hole of the cobra,

and the young child put his hand into the viper’s nest.”

(Isaiah 11:8 NIV)

 

A scrawny deer suddenly appeared next to Jeff while we were enjoying a fire at our campsite. It bent down to pick up and eat a large leaf that had fallen from a nearby tree. The deer crept around the fire to my side. Its big black eyes looked at me with anticipation of a morsel to eat.

 

I spoke softly to the deer then it turned and quickly scrambled away into the woods. I had never been so close to a wild deer before. We had invaded her territory and she had no fear. It was a preview of the peace that awaits us in God’s eternal kingdom.

 

Yet, on our way home from camping, we were faced with the evil that seems to rule this earth now. I pulled up to a gas pump behind an SUV, but the nozzle didn’t reach our gas tank. The vehicle at the pump in front of ours had not pulled up far enough.  

 

After filling her tank, the driver of the SUV meandered into the store to shop. She took note of our situation and refused to kindly move her vehicle forward so we could have access to our gas pump. We were rudely blocked and forced into a long delay. The Holy Spirit nudged me to pray for her and let it go.

 

I am still learning how to live in this fallen world and look forward to the new heaven and new earth in God’s kingdom at the same time. Jesus promised we would have troubles in this life. 

 

I will pray for those I cross paths with today, whether in good or ill will. I hope you will, too!