From Wild at Heart by John Eldredge. (Thomas Nelson, 2001).

“Most men have a hard time sustaining any sort of devotional life because it has no vital connection to recovering and protecting their strength; it feels about as important as flossing. But if you saw your life as a great battle and you knew you needed time with God for your very survival, you would do it. We’ll find a way to make it work when we are convinced we’re history if we don’t.” (Page 170)

Sitting by the Mississippi this week where I go to hear from God and long for a better cup of coffee and a visit to Alabama, Mississippi or Louisiana, I’ve been experiencing Bible reading and prayer about as motivational and helpful as a bent nail. The branch staying connected to the vine (John 15:1-11) is part of my spiritual DNA—that is, I know how fundamentally important it is even when I neglect the practice. I want it to be like a fresh Shrimp Po Boy or a bagel with exquisite cream cheese. It hasn’t been lately.

Amazing that the weatherman can say on Tuesday morning that on Thursday evening at 6:05 a fast-moving storm with high winds and potential for tornadoes will move through our town at 60mph. How do they know that? Sure enough. Right on the dot.

Carole and I react to storm warnings differently. I pack up all the flash drives containing my books, manuscripts in progress and office forms to get those treasures protected. Carole said as I was carrying my case to the basement, “Will you vacuum for me?” That would never be my first prep idea. Never! Of course I vacuumed and restrained my caustic, sarcastic words. But really! You sure don’t want the floor to look trashed if an E-5 tornado drops in. The Lady explains if only a wind gust shows up and takes out the electricity for four days (as it has done) she doesn’t want to have a trashy floor if she can’t vacuum because people will drop in—probably CNN and reporters from Fox who will comment on the carpet.

So with the Kirby idling in the pantry, I’m wondering if I should run down to the riverfront today just in case Jesus is there and has something he wants to tell me. An agronomy fact spoke to me. The nutrients and life-energy flowing from vine to branches leave no notes. The branches do not feel the nutrition inflow. It is when the flow is interrupted, that the branch senses something is wrong. I picked up branches in the lawn this morning–the end result of interrupted flow and disconnection.

“But if you saw your life as a great battle and you knew you needed time with God for your very survival, you would do it.” (Eldredge)

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It sure would be fun and enriching, maybe a life-line, to get together with a bunch of guys to talk about guy stuff that Eldredge talks about in this helpful book that has sold well over 1 million copies.

©2015 D. Dean Benton

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