Devotion: Rabbit Trails

Fresh rabbit tracks led in every direction around the camp, clearly visible in the clean snow. I snowshoed westward on the road leading to the lake, then veered off to follow one of the dozens of paw-pocked paths through the water poplar bluffs. The trail had to lead somewhere, and this day I chose “the road less travelled” and it indeed made a difference for me.

I soon realized that rabbits could travel where people cannot, at least not without scraped face and torn clothing. I eventually happened upon a barbed wire fence a short distance below the horse corrals. I was not lost, but disoriented. I could see the sun peeking over the highest hill in the camp, and even I know the sun comes up in the east.

Instead of removing snowshoes and climbing over barbed wire, I decided to backtrack, winding along myriad tiny trails and pausing under hoarfrost-heavy branches. Not long after, I came upon a more established path where the trees and scrub brush had been cleared. According to the signs—paw prints and droppings—a coyote had passed that way. I followed and arrived again at the road that led back to camp.

Sometimes we can become as diverted in our spiritual lives as I was by the rabbit tracks on my morning trek. It may not be fatal, perhaps only a slight detour. It may not seriously affect us, but we stop moving forward for the moment. Other times we may come out with spiritual scars and bruises.

We need to get our bearings, perhaps retrace our steps until we see the way that has been established for us. Just as the rising sun gave me confidence and direction, so we need to keep Christ as the focus of our lives, allowing His Word to reveal Him to us daily.

We never know when a rabbit trail will draw us off course, but our Lord is a beacon in a confusing world. If we follow Him, we will find the right path.

“This is what the LORD says: ‘Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls’ ” (Jeremiah 6:16).