Minnesota Black Bear
John Miller
02/02/21
- Windstream Mail
R E F L E C T I O N S Thoughts on nature and the Christian faith - 2/1/21 ________________________________________________________________ "But Martha was distracted with much serving." - Lk.10:40 |
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I spent some time trying to photograph this black bear in northern Minnesota as he was pawing at the ground and rooting through the dirt after something to eat. My problem was he had his face turned away from me. Not a very flattering pose. But then something distracted him. He immediately sat up and turned to look behind him into the forest. He froze in this position for the longest time, intently examining something I could not see. Eating was forgotten. I never discovered what drew his attention away from what he was formerly doing, but it must have been important to him because he eventually arose and walked into the section of the forest he had been fixated on. It is easy for things to distract us, isn't it? It called to my mind the story of when Jesus visited the home of Mary and Martha. Mary chose to sit at the feet of Jesus to learn while Martha was centered on serving her guests. Serving others was important, but sitting at the feet of Jesus was far more important. A good thing distracted Martha from the best thing. And so it happens to us. The everyday obligations of life fill our thoughts and actions to the point where we can't discern when something more important presents itself. I have found that it is necessary for me to purposely carve out times away from my everyday obligations to seek solitude and silence in order to sense the presence of God and to sit for a while at his feet. Distractions call us to satisfy the flesh at the expense of starving the spirit. The usual, the routine, is comfortable and safe but growth comes where it is not always safe, at the feet of Jesus. Go where you can find Jesus and sit at his feet. And never allow what may be good to distract you from what is the best. - John
