Once upon a time there were three bear cubs romping in a field. They stumble across a caribou that the wolves had killed. They energetically begin to sniff and help themselves to the warm meat, thinking the wolves were gone. But they were hiding…waiting to attack! Wolves run in packs and the littlest bear took the worst of the beating. Mama bear hears her cubs howling and instantly comes to the rescue. The littlest cub, bleeding and yet determined, ignores the call of mom and runs back toward the meat again! Decisions…decisions…
For the second time, the mama bear exposes herself and the other cubs to danger. The lead wolf draws mom away so the rest of the pack can attack the two cubs left alone. The Mama bear, now furious, swings her paws in defense and with some fury pushes her three cubs into the thicket and down into the stream. The smallest cub is now dripping with blood. With all the bears in the water…they wait until the wolves no longer pursue them.
The wounds were a lasting reminder of the consequence of not following the instruction of the one responsible for him (his mom, in this case!) Witchcraft is a devastating sin. One which we saw in our village in the Darien. God states that rebellion is just like the sin of witchcraft! II Sam. 15:23 Disobedience against our authority will always define the extent of our rebellion.
God places everyone under authority…parents, government, church leaders, employers, etc. Every human authority is under the authority of God and the Bible. We are either safe under the protection of the one responsible for us or we are in rebellion. (Ultimately against God)
It’s a choice we make consistently during a 24-hour period. If we get out from under the protective covering of our authority, we expose ourselves to the realm and power of Satan’s control. We choose to follow God’s clear instruction or we choose to follow the one who is out to kill, steal and destroy us. Jn. 8:44 Rebellion comes with a consequence…just as the littlest bear did, as he stood in the stream… bleeding! Decisions…decisions!
What is your decision?
Who are you following ?
How’s your attitude, your words, your countenance, etc?
We all make choices that affect everyone around us.
Know your authority and listen carefully and quickly obey…
~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America. Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California. My passion is mentoring and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights.
