Our Daily Bread: Beyond Camp Family EditionSample

Fleeing from Turkeys

Have you ever encountered a creature that startled or scared you at camp?

I once had a close encounter with a few frightening fowls as I was out jogging. Two wild turkeys stood in the country lane ahead of me.

How close could I get? I wondered.

I slowed my jog to a walk, then stopped. It worked. The turkeys walked toward me and kept coming. Within seconds, their heads bobbed at my waist, then at my behind. How sharp were those beaks? I ran away. They waddled after me before finally giving up the chase.

How quickly the tables had turned! Foolishly I wondered if they were too dumb to be scared. I wasn’t about to be carelessly wounded by a bird, so I fled. From turkeys.

David didn’t seem dangerous, so Goliath taunted him to come near.

“Come over here, and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and wild animals!” yelled Goliath in the book of 1 Samuel.

David flipped the script when he seized the initiative. He ran toward Goliath, not because he was foolish but because he had confidence in God.

He shouted, “Today . . . the whole world will know that there is a God in Israel!”

Goliath was puzzled by this aggressive boy.

What’s going on?

Then it hit him right between the eyes.

It’s natural for small animals to run from people and shepherds to avoid giants. It’s natural for us to hide from our problems.

Why settle for natural?

Is there a God in Israel? Then, in His power, run toward the fight.

Mike Wittmer

Why is it important for us to discuss problems and not avoid them? How does this help us express confidence in God?

Father, whenever we’re afraid, remind us that Your Spirit is in us. Help us run in Your strength.