Determined Faith: Trusting God’s Plan Even When You Can’t See It

If you have followed my blog for a while, you know that I reference nature a lot. This is by design because nature has shown me the vast creativity of the Divine Creator. I have watched nature since I was a young child. I remember watching Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom every Sunday.

Rabbits are just one of the many animals that I have observed over the years. I remember watching them visit the salt lick. I remember running after them to see if I could catch them. One of the things I have noticed over the years is that they absolutely love gardens. 

When my wife first started planting a garden several years ago, we did not have a fence around it. Those rabbits had a field day! So, we finally got a fence up but the rabbits still found a way in. There was one that we watched grow up and get fat of the fruits of my wife’s labor. No matter what we did, the rabbits were determined to get to the garden. As I write these words, I am reminded of Bugs Bunny and his determination to get to the carrots. Rabbits actually will stalk your garden.

We can learn some things from rabbits. In this picture above. this little creature was looking into our garden at what was left. As I looked out the window, I was thinking that it was studying the fence to find a vulnerability so it could get in a feast. After I took the picture, I continued to get ready for work. The next thing I knew, my wife had sent KP and KVP outside to let the rabbit out of the garden. This rabbit  was unfazed by the obstacle (the fence) that stood before it. However, it was determined to get in the other side even though it did not know the answer when it first approached the garden. 

Life is tough. As Rev. Dr. Freddie Haynes, III says, “Life be life-in but God be God-in.” Even though this rabbit lives by instinct and not our logical way of thinking, it knew that if it tapped into what was put into it, this hindrance would no longer be an issue. I cannot even begin to imagine what some of you are going through. I cannot begin to tell you how to fix your current situation. However, I can remind you of who created you. Therefore, I can encourage you to remember who you are because of that. Even though the rabbit was not in the garden at the time of this picture, it knew that it was going to depend on what God put in it so it could get to the other side. When life is “life-in”, do we take a little time to stop like this rabbit and reflect on the spirit that the Most High put in us?

I am ending this writing by recommending a song by William Becton. It is entitled, “Be Encouraged.” Listen to it when you are feeling low. I hope it blesses your spirit like it does mine.

Without faith, nothing is possible. With it, nothing is impossible. 

Mary McLeod Bethune