Back in the day, I used to be a backpacking guide, leading countless trips for folks into the woods.  Usually during the summer when my role as a campus pastor was less busy. I always taught the people I took into the great outdoors how to hang their food and all scented items at least 10 feet high and 6 feet from the trunk of the tree. After all, who wants a bear to steal all the food while sleeping? I remember when I was in Denali National Park in Alaska, we had to carry Bear Canisters.  Since there were no trees on the tundra the ranger gave us (for a hefty rental fee) these hard Kevlar cylinders to store all food in at least 100 yards away from our tents to keep curious Grizzlies at bay. When it comes to critters, I have always been super vigilant when in the territory of the big ones (black bears, grizzlies, etc.).

Yet over the years I discovered that it’s the small ones (I’m talking about critters) that will mess you up. One time I slept in a slight depression under the stars only to discover that I had bedded down right where the slugs come out to play at night.  I woke to a tickling sensation on my cheek.  When I realized it was a slug, I shot out of my sleeping bag, screamed like a little child, shook my head to dislodge the slug – only to have the dislodged slug land in my ear. In my ear!! I might have screamed a little. Oh my.  (Still one of my most traumatic experiences.) There was a time when my friend Brian forgot to bring his head net and was so bitten up by mosquitoes that his eyes swelled shut.

Once while taking a nap in the middle of a 15-mile day I rested my head on my food bag.  I awoke to the sound of 2 chipmunks inside said food bag right under my head defiling all my food and scaring me to death.  (I might have screamed a little.) Then there was the time I left my tent unzipped for extra ventilation on a hot summer excursion only to be awakened by a mouse running across my face.  (I may or may not have screamed.) Of course, I can’t forget the time I sat down to take a break from the daily hike – only to painfully discover I had sat down smack dab in the middle of a red anthill.  (I definitely screamed a little.) It’s good to watch out for the big things, but I’ve learned that more often than not it’s the small things that will get you. 

Hmmm… I wonder if there is a parallel with our pursuit of holiness?? We wouldn’t think of murdering, but we hold a grudge for years.  (“You have heard that it was said, ‘you shall not murder, but I say to you…” Mt. 5:21). We wouldn’t think of stealing, but we harbor jealousies in our hearts (“You shall not covet.” Deut. 5:21). We wouldn’t think of shouting a lie about our neighbor, but we gossip readily (see Pr. 16:28). Yeah, I’ll say it again.  It’s good to watch out for the big things, but I’ve learned that more often than not it’s the small things that will get you.