Are You a Mainland Bear or an Island Bear?

Black bears, polar bears and grizzly bears are all considered extremely dangerous throughout Canada. They are extremely fascinated by the non-natural foods that we humans leisurely partake of (And who can blame them for wanting to have popcorn, coke, and a movie to watch?). But once a bear is "addicted" to human food, it cannot control its desires and it will do anything to obtain the food that it can smell. Especially when natural food sources are scarce!

According to one Vancouver Island guide in Tofino, British Columbia, Vancouver Island doesn't experience such bear attacks, and humans can live alongside bears peacefully. He tells about a time that he was once broiling a fish over a campfire when he heard a sudden movement behind him. When he turned to look, he was staring into the face of a black bear seated ten metres behind him. The bear looked at the guide curiously, smelled the air, and then moved on.

So why are the island bears less aggressive than the mainland bears? For one thing, only the slightly less aggressive black bear lives on the island. But according to the guide, the primary reason is that there are so many natural food sources on the island that the bears don't have to rely on human food for survival! Being omnivorous (eating both plant and animal life), the island bears have an abundant choice of berries, plants and fish. From time to time they will find a dead animal and eat its flesh, but no one has ever sighted a bear attacking other wildlife. In the words of the guide, "When a bear has an abundant food source, there is simply no reason to look for food elsewhere!"

It sure makes sense to me!

This is also so true for those of us who have met Jesus face to face. Once a close and intimate relationship has been developed with our Maker, the abundance He provides us with leaves us uninterested to the infamous attractions of this world. He is our everything, our provider, our almighty God.

We will still face our fair share of trials, but if we remain settled on the unmoveable Rock, we will not be stirred by them.

From time to time though we may fall into the trap of thinking about the "lustre" of our old lifestyle. If we do, the temptation to return to that life will come in with a vengeance. Truly, the devil is trying to usurp the relationship we have with our Maker, trying to steal the intimate fellowship we have with God, to replace it with a life of servitude and defeat: "Your old life is dead. Your new life, which is your real life - even though invisible to spectators - is with Christ in God. He is your life.

Isn't it awesome that we no longer need to be afraid of the turmoil of life? With Jesus as our reality, He will provide for all of our needs beyond our expectations.

How do you live your life? Are you a mainland bear or an island bear?

Hungry? Come to the source of abundant food: "I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever." (John 6:51 NIV)

Dear Lord, We pray today that we will be satisfied by you, that we won’t go looking for the things of the world to satisfy us. We pray that you will help us keep ourselves grounded in the things of you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen