Bunny Trails 2022

A few years back my wife and I lived in Roseville, a suburb of St Paul MN.  Nice neighborhood, easy access to highways, shopping, dining, but there were RABBITS everywhere. 

Sounds like the beginning of a Gieco commercial.

​These friends of Bugs (bunny) crisscrossed our yard constantly.  We did not have a garden so they were harmless and cute.. I guess... but what goes on in their little minds as they scamper from here to there and back again.  All this is done of course as they travel their literal bunny trails.  

​Then I wonder.. are there 'BAD BUNNIES'.. you know, with tattoos, wearing leather, all in black hanging out under the corner street lamp smoking cigs, harassing squirrels, and taunting dogs as their masters take them on walks Saying stuff like "Aaa What's up doc?.. yer' a really  dumb dog!"

??..Sorry, my mind just went on its own bunny trail.

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Ok, while I am obviously NOT a bunny I have traveled my share of bunny trails meanderings.  I even have the 'gift' of veering off topic railroading a conversation 'deftly' interjecting my thoughts that have wandered away from the original subject.  How did I get here?.. and now how do I find my way back?.. I don't know, maybe I will ask a BUNNY. 

Even those involved in the conversation may with a bewildered look on their face respond with .. "whaaa.. and If no bunny can be found to help me I will segue back by saying "but I digress"

Of course for the most part the literal bunny trails in my yard and the nonsensical bunny trails in my head are harmless.  They may be puzzling, possibly frustrating, but seriously no harm no foul.

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But what about the more serious bunny trails we take?  In a world that needs to be focused on Jesus we wander on bunny trails... maybe drifting far from God.  How do we find our way back?

Prone wander Lord I feel it, prone to leave the God I love - from the great Hymn 'Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing' by Robert Robinson (I think)

So it's time to get off the bunny trails with the words of Jesus

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. Js 1:27 
 and 
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”  Mt 22:37-40  .  

There you have it.. all that is important shared economically in just 5 verses, BUT..

• what about climbing the corporate ladder,
• keeping up with the Jones's, and HEY..  
• Netlix is not gonna watch itself.
• Maybe you have traveled down the traditional wine, women, and song path, or
• have become lost on bunny trail of self-doubt spinning in place lacking direction or purpose. 

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All of the above can be definite bunny trails that have nothing to do with Js 1:27 and/or Mt 22:37-40. These verses encompass the focus of a good life.

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I am a big fan of the devotional 'My Utmost for His Highest' by Oswald Chambers. His daily readings are amazing bits of truth that return focus to what is important.  Oswald's message is that life begins and ends with a devotion to God. What we say and do matters, and stay off the bunny trails that keep us from this truth.  

Another great read is 'The Pursuit of God' by AW Tozer. In this book Tozer makes clear the pursuit of God is a direct path with focus and purpose and any bunny trails are mostly found in the pursuits of man... and his folly.

​My prayer is to live a life that loves God in words and deeds (Js 1:27 and Mt 22:36-40) where I give my utmost for His highest in my daily pursuit of God while keeping my bunny trails to a minimum.

I also pray your life's journey has focus and purpose. May God provide hope, and a way back when you find ourself on a bunny trail by using His Word and our Prayers as our map.

Blessings

​Jeff

Final bunny trail note:  I no longer live in Roseville, have noticed many rabbits moving into our neighborhood and they are EATING OUR HOSTAS PLANTS!  Time for me talk to Elmer Fudd and his gang of Wabbit Hunters!