Everything we need to know about life and faith can be learned from the natural world around us. God created the world and upon completion said that it was good. In that creation, God set in order the perfect laws of nature… and we are a part of that nature as we exist. I’ve been a “pattern” guy all of my life and I’ve noticed that everything you need to know about living in faith and relationships can be found in the patterns of nature. Humor me…

A few things to consider:

• A cornered bear will bite you: If someone is trapped in their words, or cornered in their behavior, then you can expect retaliation. In our world, the guilty man yells the loudest (often accompanied with a shaking or pointing finger)
• A fish rots from the head:  Any organization will die and stink if the leader is rotten. Choose your leadership wisely… your organization will take on the personality of its leaders.
• An untreated lawn will become a forest: Even the most manicured, beautiful lives will become overgrown, lost and forgotten if not maintained. It takes a lot of work to keep your life presentable and free of weeds.
• A wounded animal will hide: It is natural for us to hide our wounds so others will not see our weakness. Rather than get treatment and heal ourselves, we hide and eventually become paralyzed, in pain, or even die because of our pride.
• Birds of a feather…flock together: I hate to tell you but your mother was right. You become who you associate with. It is natural for us to gravitate to people who are like us. If you aren’t sure who you are… look around at your peers and friends. This is the true reflection of who you are.
• Seasons change consistently: We must go through the seasons of our life in order to spur new growth. Following a cold, bitter hardship you will find new growth and emergence into full bloom. Remember this as you face the cold nights in your life.

Just take a look around and you will see the patterns of nature. Think about your relationships in life and observe how your patterns repeat over and over. So can’t we then assume that our faith will have a pattern?

Be careful how you attack life… it will attack back. Don’t corner bears… they will eat you. Without wisdom, without hope, without God’s lead… you don’t have a chance. Your mission today is to understand that God made this beautiful, wonderful creation for Him to love and enjoy… and you are the feature presentation. Don’t waste today… God delights in your joy and God is pained by your despair. Pray for wisdom to see God’s hand in all of nature, and pray for wisdom in order that you avoid the habit of “cornering bears”.

God put the world into order, and He will put you in order if you follow His pattern.
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