The Lost Canadian
Recommended reading: James 1
I love the outdoors, but hunting and fishing are my true passions. It’s not about the catch or the kill; it’s the thrill of the chase and the unforgettable experiences each trip offers. From the breathtaking sights and sounds to the sheer joy of being in nature itself, I’m captivated by every aspect. I explore various locations, each with its unique charm. From the vast plains to the majestic mountains and the vast oceans, the beauty of each place leaves me in awe.
Before embarking on these adventures, I meticulously prepare. I engage in extensive conversations with experienced travelers who have been to the same destinations, seeking their insights and recommendations. Additionally, I delve into the internet, researching every detail of the journey.
During one of my hunting trips to Canada, I found myself perched on a mountain top, equipped with all my essentials for the day, plus extra supplies in case of unexpected circumstances. The beauty of the surroundings enveloped me, and I scanned the valley below, my heart pounding with anticipation. I was on the lookout for an opportunity to harvest a trophy whitetail buck.
After a few hours of patiently waiting, I finally heard the ominous sound of crashing brush and rocks. Something was rushing through the woods, straight towards me. My heart raced, and my senses heightened. I scanned the valley, searching for the first chance to catch a glimpse of this magnificent buck, chasing a doe.
Suddenly, I spotted a fast movement through the brush in the distance. My focus shifted to my body positioning, and I mentally prepared myself for the moment I had been waiting for. I grabbed my binoculars and scanned that direction.
There he was—a lost Canadian!
This guy was sprinting down the valley and straight up the mountain I was sitting on! As he drew nearer, I waved to make myself known. When he was within talking distance, he began frantically repeating, “I’m lost.” I asked him where he had come from and where he was headed, all while he continued climbing the mountain towards me. He kept saying, “My buddy told me to go south and return to camp,” with fear in his voice and a physical fear etched on his face. He was carrying no pack, no map, or compass! Just his rifle and a false sense of direction.
I kept telling him, “Stop! You’re headed west.” I was determined to make him understand that he was headed in the wrong direction. He was so confused and caught up in fear and what he believed to be the right direction that he refused to listen to the truth of his location and destination. Never pausing to listen and continuing on west, he simply yelled, “Okay, okay, I’ll go south!” in a deep Canadian accent.
Venturing through life often resembles this scenario. We get caught up in the world and become frantic. We think we know what’s best without stopping to ask for directions. When we are given directions, we often are already set in our ways, or so deeply involved in the process that we believe we have it under control. As we move in the wrong direction, we often grab another gear and keep pushing uphill, focused on what we believe to be truth. This could be out of fear, doubt, pride, or any other driving force at that moment.
Thank God for grace! His ability to give us direction depends on our ability to stop, listen, and obey. Let’s look at James 1:19-25.
Understand this, my beloved brothers and sisters. Let everyone be quick to hear [be a careful, thoughtful listener], slow to speak [a speaker of carefully chosen words], and slow to anger [patient, reflective, and forgiving]. For the resentful, deep-seated anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God [that standard of behavior which He requires from us]. So, get rid of all uncleanness and all that remains of wickedness, and with a humble spirit receive the word [of God] which is implanted [actually rooted in your heart], which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God’s precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth]. For if anyone only listens to the word without obeying it, he is like a man who looks very carefully at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he immediately forgets what he looked like. But he who looks carefully into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and faithfully abides by it, not having become a [careless] listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], will be blessed and favored by God in what he does [in his life of obedience].
-James 1:19-25
I’m sure this Canadian made it back home eventually, but the pain, possibly injury, and time away could have been much less if he had just stopped for a moment and listened to the truth about his direction.
Challenge: Be attentive to the voice and direction of God so that in moments of being lost or driven in the wrong direction, you can take correction, move in the right direction, and avoid unnecessary pain and suffering. Remember who you are, knowing that He has your best interest at heart.