Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:7
For God did not call us to be impure, store but to live a holy life.

Thought for the Day: As the forest canopy turned light into darkness, I trudged onward. The mossy carpet began branching into hands around my ankles, trying to pull me under. Suddenly, the forest I had known forever was strange and diabolical. Enveloped in darkness, unable to see my way, I froze. Fear gripped my heart and crushed out any courage I might have possessed. I stood in the darkness, my feet sinking below me, moss and weeds and branches clawing at my ankles. Where am I? I looked around to try and get my bearings, but this was a new forest, a darker place. The trees were suddenly 1000 feet tall and curving in on me, glaring judgmentally at me through the reflected eyes of creatures crawling everywhere. They peered into the dark crevices of my soul, and every terror came to life.

“Are you lost?” It was the voice. “Follow me,” it said, softly, gently nudging me to action. “Um, I can’t really tell where you are?” I said, rather tentatively, not wanting to encourage the curiosity (and appetite) of the beasts hiding in the forest. I knew surely they wanted to devour me whole. “Listen!” shouted the voice. “Follow me! Concentrate!” My heart pounded angrily. I wanted to panic, to run in any direction, but I was trapped by my own sinister ruminations.

Then, more gently, the voice said, “Take a deep breath, Takakura.” I obeyed. I took a slow, deep breath in, held it for a second, thought about everything I was afraid of, and then exhaled, slowly and carefully. Where I live, we learn this exercise at an early age. It’s just easy to forget. “Good, now move your feet.” As I began to take my first childlike steps, the voice gently encouraged me: “Follow me! You’re almost there!”

To be continued…

Prayer: Eternal God, destroy my fear. Give me the courage to walk a different path, and to let you be my guide as I traverse the dark forests of the world. Amen.