Know your strength
One cold winter evening, my backyard came alive with the beauty of wildlife. It all started when my neighbor placed a hanging bird feeder in his tree. Somehow the word got around in the animal kingdom, because not only birds, but squirrels and deer dropped by to enjoy the delicious winter meals. The first deer sighting started with just two. Now every day, four to nine deer stop by to visit the neighborhood.
They even eat dignified, with the constant awareness of their surroundings. Whenever a questionable sound or smell awakens their senses, they snap into position, searching for danger.
Although they are mostly gentle, whenever the food runs low, I have witnessed a first come, first serve mentality. Weighing up to 300 pounds, a hangry deer could strike a powerful blow with its sharp hoofs, if though to say, “Scram! It’s not enough for everyone.”
But one day, while seven deer were eating, they suddenly sprinted for their lives. Chaos of swift movements filled the air. Frightened, they bumped into each other, jumped fences, and took off in stampede speed. Why? Because one fox chased them off.
I was shocked, but thought, what’s next? Bears? Seriously, it was like a backyard safari scene. Never before have I seen a red fox in my backyard: Not to mention, a daring failed attack to eat deer meat.
After the laughter subsided, I asked myself, why would seven deer run in fear from one red fox? With the deer’s size advantage, they could have easily overtaken one fox. In comparison, the fox was only a fraction of the size. He looked about 20 inches tall. Roughly, 15 pounds and around 30 inches long at the most. There was no way that this fox could have won the battle against a 300-pound deer.
But suddenly it occurred to me. Some of God creatures don’t utilize the strength that they are born with for battle. Their behavior response, in the face of danger, may not have anything to do with their physical abilities. In some cases, it might be more related to their DNA. Per the Oxford Languages, DNA is the “fundamental and distinctive characteristics or qualities of someone or something, especially when regarded as unchangeable.”
This definition suggests that even though deer have the physical advantage, including sharp hoofs to easily kick, stump, and demolish one fox, they will avoid confrontations by using their innate qualities of agility, speed, and flexibility. After all, why take a punch if your basic nature is designed to avoid one.
Now check out my favorite character in the story: The fox. This adversary, although some would label him the villain, clearly had guts. The fox is known for being a solitary creature, shy, timid, prey on small animals, and is mostly nocturnal. But on this day, he saw himself differently. He was strong and courageous.
He transformed into a daytime deer predator. This pint-sized fox decided to seize the moment; win or lose. So, he snuck through human territory to go beyond normal fox hunting protocol and became a deer hunter.
Yes, his attempt failed. But at least he tried. He stretched his faith beyond his everyday normal, to achieve what he otherwise wouldn’t have ever known. He tested his capabilities. He took courage. He believed for bigger things. What a story he was able to tell when he returned home.
What about you? Are you using your God-given strengths or are you still standing at the Jordan River too afraid to cross over? Too afraid of the people in the land. Too fearful of the work it will require. Too afraid to trust God.
You say “What if it doesn’t happen? I have tried before and lost. Is God really listening to me?”
But what if He is listening. What if it does work out this time. I don’t have the answers to why our prayers don’t always happen within our timing. Scripture tells us that God’s thoughts and ways are different than ours (Isaiah 55:8.) Timing is His business (Acts 1:7.)
But I can tell you this. Being obedient, through the power of the Holy Spirit, is your business. He’s your strength. And, if you allow Him, He can transform you like that brave fox, to live extraordinarily.
So, don’t be afraid to live within God’s will. God was with Moses and later with Joshua as they led the people to the promised land. He never left their side. Was it challenging? Yes! They experienced several setbacks. But they made it. It took 40 years of preparation.
Finally, they were ready. But, before they crossed over, God encouraged Joshua several times to Be Strong! Be Courageous! You just need to give it your all. Be careful to follow the laws. Remember everything that I have said, so that you will be successful wherever you go (Joshua 1).
There’s an old expression that says, you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink. Similarly, God can provide you with the opportunity, but you must have the courage and strength to do it. He won’t force you. But if you fail to act, you may forfeit or delay the promise. Don’t live in fear or regret.
I don’t know about you, but I would rather have tried and failed than not have tried at all.
Brenette Wilder, formerly of Altheimer, Ark., is a blogger at wordstoinspire105953116. wordpress.com and author of Netted Together, https://nettedtogether.org.
Editor’s note: Pastors, ministers or other writers interested in writing for this section may submit articles for consideration to shope@pbcommercial.com or shope@adgnewsroom.com. Please include your phone number and the name and location of your church or ministry. Writers should have a connection to Southeast Arkansas.
■ PRAIRIE LAKE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH, 2611 Indiana St., will host its Family and Friends Day at 3 p.m. Sunday, The guest speaker is the Rev. James Rice Jr., pastor of Greater Battle Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. The Rev. Alvin C. Lowe is pastor of Prairie Lake.
■ ST. JOHN AME CHURCH, 1117 W. Pullen St., will host its 33rd annual Pew Rally, Family and Friends service at 3 p.m. Sunday. A special presentation will honor local Judges Earnest Brown Jr., Alex Guynn, Jackie Harris, John Kearney Sr. and former Judges Leon Jamison Sr. and Berlin Jones. The speaker will be the Rev. Monty Royster, pastor of Union AME Church of Little Rock. The Rev. Chestine Sims Jr. is the pastor at St. John. The community is welcome to attend in person or virtually on Zoom using Meeting ID: 380 457 5496, Code: 1117; call-in: 13126266799 and when prompted dial: 3804575496#, 1117# or Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/St.JohnPineBluff/.
■ STEWART MEMORIAL CME CHURCH, 911 S. Maple St., will host the Citywide Mission meeting at 1 p.m. Monday. The special guest speaker will be the Rev. Renice Davis, pastor of Bethany Chapel Missionary Baptist Church. The Rev. Fred Williams is the pastor of Stewart Memorial.
■ NEW COMMUNITY CHURCH, 321 N. Birch St., will present its Kingdom Builders program at 6 p.m. March 24. The featured speaker will be the Rev. David Morgan. New
Community invites everyone to attend. The church also has prayer at noon on weekdays and children’s church at 11 a.m. Sundays and guests are welcome to attend. The pastor/apostle at New Community is Patrick Lockett.
■ HOUSE OF BREAD DELIVERANCE CHURCH, 1501 W. Second Ave., will be open its food pantry Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. or until all food boxes are gone. Each client must fill out an intake form for 2024 if they haven’t done so already. Proof of address must be at least driver’s licenses, identification card, or utility bills, according to a news release. Details: Saint Mary Harris, pastor/apostle, (870) 8722196.
■ MT. MORIAH MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH of Gould will conduct spring revival. The guest speaker for 7 p.m. Tuesday will be the Rev. Willie Gordon, pastor of the Revival Time Christian Church of Pine Bluff, accompanied by his congregation. At 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, the speaker will be the Rev. Walter Witherspoon, pastor of the True Harvest Missionary Baptist Church of Dumas, accompanied by his congregation. Everyone is welcome to attend. The Rev. Phillip Puckett is the pastor at Mt. Moriah.
■ PLEASANT GROVE MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH, 1801 Indiana St., will give away food to those in need from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. March 30. The effort will be provided by the church’s soup kitchen and pantry, according to a news release. Church news is printed in The Commercial on Fridays. The deadline to submit church announcements is noon Wednesdays. Pastors, ministers or others interested in writing for the Devotional Page may also submit columns for consideration. Column writers should have connections to Southeast Arkansas. Articles are accepted by email to Sandra Hope at shope@pbcommercial.com or shope@adgnewsroom.com. Details: (870) 534-3400, ext. 5.