If You Come Upon A Stationary Bear...

Warning: Please don’t run from bears or push your slower friends down in attempts of saving yourself.⁣⁣

Sometimes it's in our humor that we most clearly hear the slings and arrows of a culture, and even the National Park Service is not immune. Listen to these tips posted a few days ago warning visitors how to respond if they encounter a bear:

If you come upon a stationary bear, move away slowly and sideways; this allows you to keep an eye on the bear and avoid tripping. Moving sideways is also non-threatening to bears. Do NOT run, but if the bear follows, stop and hold your ground. Like dogs, they will chase fleeing animals. Do NOT climb a tree. Both grizzlies and black bears can climb trees.⁣⁣ Do NOT push down a slower friend (even if you think the friendship has run its course).

Tongue-in-cheek, of course, the post continues with additional assurances that most bears are merely curious and not interested in engaging with humans, followed by this closing line:

P.S. We apologize to any “friends” who were brought on a hike as the “bait” or were sacrificed to save the group. You will be missed. ⁣⁣

Ouch to the friends who were brought along as bait! And while I love the humor here, we are clearly hearing an increasing impatience in our COVID culture as people feel trapped, political tensions escalate, and leadership decisions are questioned at every turn. How do we, as Christians, step into the fray, enjoying good humor but watching with intentionality for moments where we can tip the scale from vitriol, blame, and anger to hope, peace, and joy?

James reminds us that true wisdom is not astute political decision-making but instead the humility of daily reliance on the Holy Spirit. Listen to James 3:13-18:

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

Pay attention to a culture that is impatient and on edge. We are called to be the peacemakers, not the instigators. What role will you play this week to bring calm and encourage joy?

And if you find space for a hike in our beautiful Oregon woods, no pushing ...

Jennie