They sat hoovered together around a fire of twigs and leaves, trying to battle the cold and mosquitoes. The moist air mixed with the smoke to leave a fine film of soot on their faces. It was a miserable night, just like many other miserable nights.
They were surrounded by a virgin forest of oak and cypress with only axes to use against the mammoth trees. So, they sat—desperate, hungry, afraid. Their survival depended on their own ingenuity and that of their friends.
Mr. John Law sent them out to this hostile place along the Mississippi River to clear the land and establish settlements, but he sent them out unequipped—no saws, no plows, no animals. Many of them died.
Can we relate to these early pioneers? Probably not physically. Perhaps within the cold, fearful depths of our own spirits, at times. The “rule” of the New Testament requires obedience in the most elemental areas of life; “Love God and love others as yourself.”
It doesn’t sound hard, but it can be. Our equipping comes from the Holy Spirit and is made possible because of the loving sacrifice of Jesus who stood in agreement with the Father that this was the only way to restore relationship. Amazing.
It would have been foolish for those early settlers to ignore the gift of an axe. It provided their only opportunity to experience something other than the life-threatening forest. I can imagine their efforts felt useless, but villages eventually grew along the forest floor where there had only been trees.
Today, like an impenetrable forest, we are surrounded with vulgarity, cruelty and a blatant disregard for life. Our only hope comes from immersing ourselves in the Word of Truth, the Bible. It is God’s means of equipping us against evil and deception. We can know, not just the rules, but the life and relationship offered by the Triune God.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:14
Food for thought.
Annette
Looking with New Eyes 
Right on target for what my ladies Lifegroup has been talking about! I’m copying this to read to them on Sunday, reposting it on Facebook so others can read it too. Thank you Ann…this really ministered to me this morning!
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