By Brad Campbell –

Hi all.  Just a thought to help start your week.

Last fall, in a museum in downtown Scottsboro, Arizona, I wandered for a couple of hours looking, reading, and admiring so many things.  One of those objects was this bronze sculpture from 1912 entitled “Appeal to the Great Spirit.”  The Native American Indian seated astride his majestic horse is leaning slightly backwards, arms opened wide with hands outstretched, looking up toward the heavens.

This particular pose is one of obvious prayer and petition to the “Great Spirit,” the One from Whom all blessings flow!

I cannot pretend to know or understand all the worship practices of these people, or any other person than myself, for that matter.  But what I do understand is that this man is crying out for the protection and guidance of an Almighty God to help him as he faces the unknown dangers of the world around him.

As you “mount up” and prepare for whatever dangers or obstacles that may face you in your wanderings of the desert lands, hills, and valleys of the coming week, won’t you take a moment first to cry out to the Lord for help?  We tend to think we are stronger than we are.  We think we can make it on our own.  We forget to call upon the Lord before we head out on our daily adventures, instead crying to Him when we fail because we didn’t follow His plan.  We gripe and complain about the problems and disappointments in our lives, when we never bothered to talk to Him before we started down that lonesome trail.

I have several Native American Indian connections in the twisted branches of my family tree, and some family members bear the physical characteristics more obviously than others.  My sister is one of those.  I am not.  And although I don’t look anything like the gentleman sitting atop this horse, I pray earnestly that I resemble him in my actions and my outstretched arms as I, too, appeal to the Great Spirit for His guidance through my week ahead.

Speak to the Holy Spirit right now, wherever you are.  “Mount up with wings as eagles, run and not be weary, walk and not faint.”  Appeal to Him, and let Him lead.

Just a thought.

By Brad Campbell –

Just a thought to help start your week.

Perhaps you’ve traveled roads similar to the one in my picture this week.  The sunshine is streaming through the tree limbs.  It is a beautiful day for a ride.  The road seems to disappear underneath the protection of the big trees as it sneaks around the curve toward something we cannot yet see.

Now, imagine yourself behind the steering wheel of the car, and this is your view.  Perhaps you quickly realize that this is a very narrow road.  It is, in fact, just one lane.  And it is meant to only be traveled in one direction.  Thankfully, you are headed in the right direction.

Joshua, in the Bible book with his name, reminds God’s people that it’s time to make up our minds.  Which direction are we going to travel?  Are we going to follow the Lord, or are we not?  We are challenged there to make up our minds!

When you’re in a vehicle on a narrow-laned road such as the one pictured here, it would be very difficult to stop, turn around, and head in the opposite direction.  Yet sometimes, we are determined to do so anyway.  It would be so much simpler and easier if we just followed the Lord on His narrow path — even though we cannot see what’s coming around the next curve!

Life is a road.  I’ve discussed previously how we dodge pot holes or hit the speed bumps in life’s travels.  Those are all just a part of the traveling experience.  We deal with it, and we go on.

Why not just trust the Lord to lead?  Yes, the road is narrow.  It was meant to be.  Yes, it only leads in one direction.  That’s all we were meant to travel.  Yes, unknowns lie around the curve.  Ah, but if I knew everything I would find around the next bend in the road, what would be challenge of the ride?!

Buckle up.  Drive slowly if need be.  Enjoy the scenery and the Sonshine.  And enjoy the ride.  Trust Him to be your GPS.  It’s worth it!

Just a thought.