Bible Study Verse
Psalm 91:1
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. (NIV)
Thoughts
In the previous SD, I shared about how we were trying to weather a storm on a backpacking trip on the coast of Lake Superior. A 3 day storm had kicked up, but it coincided with us hiking into a remote bay that had a rustic cabin in the middle of it.
We decided that our best option to get through the high winds and thunderstorms was to stay at the cabin, rather than setting up our tents. As we opened the cabin up, we had found a guest registry for folks who had decided to stay at the cabin.
- When we originally found the cabin, we weren't really sure if we should go inside and stay there, but a few factors weighed in heavily in what we decided to do:
- We had already spoken to a couple who had used this cabin for riding out a storm.
- The weather was absolutely awful!
- As we opened the door of the cabin to check it out, there was a guest registry.
Although someone owned this little cabin in the middle of nowhere for hunting and fishing, they understood that if someone were really in a time of need, their cabin would have been broken into to use for shelter. Rather than not allowing people to use the little cabin, they chose to leave it open and even welcomed visitors with a "guest registry." They had a line for your group's names and asked you to share the details of where you were from and what your situation was as to why you were staying there.
As we waited for three days for the storm to end, we pulled out the guest registry and read the stories aloud. The stories we read from that registry were absolutely fascinating! People from all over the world had used that little shelter at points on their backpacking and kayaking trips. Story after story of that little cabin had reflected a sentiment of gratitude from all who had stayed there. The cabin was nothing special - basically a simple shack in the wilderness, but boy had it helped a lot of people.
(Dave M)
Action Point
Sometimes, I think that we, as Americans, have fallen into the trap that in order to help someone, we have to have a 5 step plan, a program, or a board of directors to make sure that things are done "the right way." It doesn't have to be this way.
I have never met the owners of this little shack in the woods, but in their own simple way, they have helped many, many people in a time of need - during a storm. They took what they had, made it accessible to those who passed through, and made a lasting impact through their generosity. They kept an open hand with what they possessed and allowed it to be used for a greater purpose. I have no idea about the owner's spiritual standing with God, but I marvel at their desire and sentiment to help others that they didn't even personally know.
As believers in Christ, I think that just maybe we need to step back and ask what my little shack in the woods is for those who are in my sphere of influence. Am I taking what God has given me and sharing it gladly with those who need help?
If you have the ability to help someone in the simplest of ways, do it and pray that God uses it for the advancement of His kingdom. Maybe someday, you will have your own guest registry filled with stories of how you impacted people's lives for Christ.
Sportsmen's Tip of the Day
On a kayaking or backpacking trip, always make sure you leave your tentative schedule with a ranger station or a close friend, so that they can track you down if needed in case of an emergency.
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