Beware of Bunny Trails
A few years back, my wife and I lived in Roseville, a suburb of St Paul, MN. Nice neighborhood, with easy access to highways, shopping, and dining, but there were also rabbits.
Sounds like the beginning of a Geico commercial.
These friends of Bugs (bunny) crisscrossed our yard constantly. We didn't 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 "What's up doc?.. you dumb dog!"
?? Sorry, my mind just went off on its own bunny trail.
Ok, while I am NOT a bunny, I have traveled my share of bunny trails and meanderings. I even have the 'gift' of veering off topic, often interjecting my thoughts that have wandered away from the original subject 'deftly' and railroading a conversation. How did I get here? And now, how do I find my way back? I don't know, maybe I’ll 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.
But what about the more serious bunny trails we take? In a world that needs to be focused on Jesus, we often wander down rabbit trails... perhaps 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 in two scriptures, instead of our…
Keeping up with the Joneses,
Binge watching Netflix
Traveling down the traditional path of wine, women, & song, or becoming
lost on a bunny trail of self-doubt, spinning in place, lacking direction or purpose.
I am a big fan of the devotional 'My Utmost for His Highest' by Oswald Chambers. His daily readings are timeless bits of truth that refocus attention on what is essential. Oswald's message is that life begins and ends with a devotion to God. What we say and do matters, and you will not find bunny trails living our utmost for His highest.
Another great read is 'The Pursuit of God' by AW Tozer. In this book, Tozer makes clear that the pursuit of God is the only path with focus and purpose. In contrast, all the pursuits of man are lost on bunny trails of his folly.
My prayer is to love God in words and deeds (James 1:27 and Mt 22:36-40), giving our utmost for His highest, with a pursuit of God, providing focus and purpose not found on any bunny trail of man.
Blessings
Jeff
Final bunny trail note: I no longer live in Roseville, have noticed in our new neighborhood the bunnies are on a trail where they stop to EAT OUR HOSTA PLANTS! Time for me to talk to Elmer Fudd and his gang of Wabbit Hunters!
