|
It was bleak and cold. The sky was black, stark and clear. Stars crisply punctuated the ink of shuddered through my body as I held my coat tightly around me. Leaves on the oak tree rustled as the cutting wind whistled about. As I hurried the dog along on his walk I wondered to myself how long someone could last outside on a night like this. it was then that I heard the distant calling from geese high overhead. The sound of their cry coming through the darkness startled me. They silently flew far above. How could they survive in that cold, thin air? Why would they choose to fly on a night like this? No answer came. I stood in awe far beneath them holding myself against the penetrating cold. There they were flying bravely through the icy darkness prepared, protected, and piloted by the unseen hand of God. As I listened and looked up, I could sense a strange warmth come over me. A quiet certaintly gradually arose from within that even in dark coldness that same hand of God that held them aloft could be trusted to prepare, protect, and pilot me on whatever journey into some dark night I might be called to make. Perhaps all our journeys are taken into darkness. They are a flight of faith into a cutting wind. And that same Force of Life that is hidden within that distant fowl is hidden in all our hearts I think. It is faith that calls us forth from within and gives us the courage to fly into the unknown, knowing that because of the One who is for us and with us shall be lifted up and guided through every darkness to reach our distant shore. As the words of the hymn say, "The lone, wild bird in lofty flight is still with Thee, nor leaves Thy sight. And I am Thine! I rest in Thee. Great Spirit, come, and rest in me." --H.S. |