Surefooted as a Deer

Brrr...It is cold here in Stanwood! All of the kids are wishing for snow and most of the parents are hoping it doesn't come for a while! Snow is so beautiful, but I literally do not drive in snow, so I become home bound. So I am not wishing for snow....yet!

I am rereading one of my all time favorite books. I highly recommend it. It is called Hinds Feet in High Places by Hannah Hurnard. (I have 2 copies if anyone wants one!) It is an allegory that is based on Habakkuk 3:19 "The Lord God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me walk upon mine high places." The Amplified Bible reads "The Lord God is my Strength, my personal bravery, and my invincible army; He makes my feet like hinds' feet and will make me to walk [not to stand still in terror, but to walk] and make [spiritual] progress upon my high places [of trouble, suffering, or responsibility]! For the Chief Musician; with my stringed instruments."

The main character is named Much-Afraid and she is being guided by Jesus (the Shepherd) up a mountain (High Places). She felt distress and shame in her life. She was also a cripple, with "feet so crooked the they often caused her to limp and stumble as she went about her work". She also had a disfigured mouth which affected her speech. The greatest trouble in her life was her family.

Now Jesus has asked her if she trusts Him to take her somewhere better even if it is hard and difficult. The story is GREAT! Today as I was reading a paragraph in the book it struck a cord in my heart. It must have done the same the first time I was reading this book because I underlined it then.

Jesus is speaking to Much-Afraid "Whenever you are willing to obey me, Much-Afraid, and to follow the path of my choice, you will always be able to hear and recognize my voice, and when you hear it you must always obey. Remember also that it is always safe to obey my voice, even if it seems to call you to the paths which look impossible or even crazy."

He says if we are willing to obey me...I am willing.
He says it is always safe to obey his voice....ALWAYS.
The path may look impossible or even crazy....He always chooses the right path for us, regardless of what it looks like to us....impossible or crazy!

Every time we hear his voice, are willing to obey, and follow his path, He will keep us safe. He will be our strength. He will get us to the High Places when we are willing.

So, no matter where we are, or if we find something hindering us, or how we feel about ourselves God promises He will be our strength and he will make our "feet like hind's feet" (or surefooted as a deer).

I don't want to give away the end of the book, but by facing her fears and being willing to trust in Jesus, even when she didn't want to, she was transformed.

Let's trust our God who promises to be our strength. He promises that if we are willing to follow Him no matter what, He will get us to the top of the mountain. The accent up the mountain may be tough and painful. It may take a while ( a long while!). It might make us face some fears or challenges, but what He promises to us is so much better. Healing. Transformation. Freedom. Deliverance.

I want that!
Blessings on this cold night.
Love, Teresa