Hemmed In

A rainstorm blows in over me and my friend as we attempt to shoot a sunset in Yellowstone National Park.

I don't rest well. I find that doing absolutely nothing and letting my body, and in my case more importantly my mind rest, is a challenge.

So given that I am going on a week of being sick and somewhat laid up at home, I wonder if perhaps being sick was God's way of causing me to rest after a couple weeks of nonstop on the move on travel, photography, and mission work. Ok, I can accept that.

It makes me think of this verse that the Psalmist penned in Psalm 139. I find it a comforting and interesting verse. God of course goes before us, is behind us, He is everywhere present. But I feel the verse is getting at something even more; I believe it's touching on the idea that God arranges the moments of our lives, directing our steps, hemming us in as it were.

The last few weeks have offered many opportunities to 'be in place', yet the results and circumstances were entirely out of my control.

This evening for example, the sky looked pretty good, and we had in desperation found a spot to shoot. While waiting for the light however, this storm rolls in. Grizzly around or not, we booked it as fast as we could carrying cameras, backpacks, bear spray, and tripods, back to the truck, before getting deluged. We got deluged, however.

The sky unfortunately fizzled out, and while we got some cool shots, none are the most magnificent photos ever. But that's not really the point.

God has a way of moving us, putting us somewhere, keeping us in a spot, etc.

It's funny that we think we have some ability to overpower Him.

I was all set to come back and shoot the local fall color. Yet, apparently God didn't want me to do that yet. I can kick and complain, or I can rest, which is apparently what I need.

"But God, you don't understand, I need to get those images before the seasons out!" As if He doesn't know what I need.

No I don't have this figured out, but it's certainly an interesting thought to share.

It is not always pleasant, but knowing He does direct our steps is an encouragement. If I had my way I'd probably run myself into the ground. I'm sure you can think of some application of this for your own life as well.

But don't think too deeply on this. David understood that the sovereignty of God over our lives was a concept that was too high for him. Instead, he just marveled and praised God for His watchful care.