When I walk in my neighborhood, there’s a stretch of road with grass that rarely gets mowed. There’s no way around that area. I simply have to walk by it to get home, wondering the entire time what scary creatures may be lurking in it. I have no trouble picturing a rattle snake coiled up, just waiting to strike as I walk by. Grant it, I’ve never seen one there, but I worry just the same.
I usually choose that little stretch to run. The faster I can get past it, the better. On rare occasions, a car will come flying over the hill and I’m forced to actually walk in that tall grass. If it’s a choice between being hit by a car and the unknown, I’ll take the unknown. But, at that point, my heart rate rises all on its own, no running required, and I get out of the grass as quickly as possible.
We don’t like to walk in areas where we can’t see. Part of that fear of the unknown is justified. It keeps us safe. But, part of it is our need to control our circumstances. The unknown can be unsettling and down right terrifying.
Yesterday, when I took my walk, one of my neighbors was walking his dog in the tall grass. Can you imagine? I told him that I stay out of that grass because of what might be there. He laughed and asked me how many snakes we had seen around our house. I admitted, very few. He said the ones they had seen were king snakes, which are non-poisonous, good snakes. I laughed when I realized that king snakes were the only snakes we’ve seen this year as well.
We chatted a few minutes and I walked on, but I pondered that conversation as I went.
Life sometimes puts us in the tall grass. We are sometimes put into situations and circumstances where we simply can’t see what we’re up against. Whether it’s test results, finances, job loss, relationship worries, family problems or anything else beyond our control, we fear what we don’t know. We fear what we can’t control.
Sometimes God calls us out into the tall grass. It may be a call to participate in or lead a new ministry. It may be some kind of mission opportunity. It may be financial. Whatever it is, if He calls us, He has us covered. He can handle the poisonous snakes.
Whatever our tall grass looks like at the moment, be it spiritual or physical, we can all take comfort in knowing we never walk alone when we walk with Jesus. He said, “I have told you these things, so in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
We are called to have peace of mind and peace in our hearts, no matter the circumstances. We are loved and cherished and God has us covered, no matter what the tall grass looks like.
Sometimes I need reminding. Perhaps you do too.
Have an awesome day!
Wendy 🙂
