Craig Clouston

 

Cherokee Indian Legend

September 19

For we walk by faith, not by sight.

2Corinthians 5:7 KJV

Cherokee Indian legend says when a boy reaches the age of manhood his father takes him into the forest, blindfolds him and leaves him alone. He is required to sit on a stump the whole night and not remove the blindfold until the rays of the morning sun shine through it. He cannot cry out for help to anyone. Once he survives the night, he is a MAN.

He cannot tell the other boys of this experience, because each lad must come into manhood on his own.

The boy is naturally terrified. He can hear all kinds of noises. Wild beasts must surely be all around him. Maybe even some human might do him harm. The wind blows the grass and earth, and shakes his stump, but he sits stoically, never removing the blindfold. It is the only way he can become a man!

Finally, after a horrific night the sun appears and he removes his blindfold.

It is then that he discovers his father is sitting on the stump next to him.

He had been at watch the entire night, protecting his son from harm.

†

In today’s text Paul addresses the Church’s doubt concerning eternal life, assuring them that the Spiritual life is not a farce. Still, there were many who, without empirical proof of Christ’s existence, doubted His promise of life everlasting. The same holds true for many Christians when they encounter God’s silence.

Many times in the midst of trouble, it can feel like God is nowhere to be found; we don’t hear His voice, and we don’t sense His presence. We cry out only to be met with the echo of our own voice. If you’ve been walking with God for a while, you know that there’s a purpose for the silence; He’s trying to teach us something.

If you are new in your walk with Jesus, it can appear you’ve been abandoned. Rest assured, even when you don't hear or feel Him, just like the Cherokee father, God is sitting on the stump right beside you.

Prayer

“Father God, help me walk by faith and not need constant reassuring that You are with me. Lead me to a place of quiet confidence that You are always near, ready to step in when needed. Amen.”