He was one street-smart, battle-scarred yellow cat. His half chewed off ears told tales of territorial battles won and lost. He definitely knew his way around. He was a veteran of life with all his missing parts to display his valor. As I approached he stealthfully backed under a bush. He was way too smart to challenge a four thousand pound car. Being brave doesn’t mean stupidly taking on something that outclasses you. Being smart is a vital component to being brave and intelligence separates the courageous from the foolish.
Psalm 1:1 is great counsel for the truly brave. “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers.” One should only place oneself in such jeopardy for a noble cause, not just to taste and see, one should flee at first opportunity. One cannot expect to mingle and play in mud without getting soiled. Jesus was able to pull that off. “This man eats with sinners.” However, Jesus also spent entire nights in prayer fortifying Himself to do daily battle with one determined to destroy Him.
As I was thinking about that old yellow cat I found myself hoping not all our scars will be removed in heaven. It would be boring if we were all uniformly the same without reminders of victories won. While it is true we shall all be saved by Jesus, it should also be true that we should have identifying scars of valor obtained in the cause of righteousness.
Written by Roger Bothwell on June 30, 2015
PO Box 124, Saint Helena, CA 94574
rogerbothwell.org