A Greater Power

Billy Strayhorn tells about a nature show he once saw about black bears. There was a particular cub that had been orphaned and then later adopted by a new father bear. At some point, the two bears became separated and the cub began to cry. The little guy wonder about looking all around for his new father. Then, just as he approached a stream, he looked up to see a mountain lion ready to pounce. 

The camera zoomed in on the cub who tried to do what bears do when threatened. He stood on his hind legs and bared his teeth. He then let loose a growl that should have shaken the trees. However, only a tiny bear cub squeak came out. Just when you’d think the mountain lion was ready to have the cub for lunch, to everybody’s astonishment, the big cat lowered his head and ran off in the opposite direction.

The camera panned back to the proud little cub still standing tall on his hind legs. The viewers were then able to see what that little cub could not see: a few yards behind him, at full, ferocious height, his sharp, white teeth bared in a snarl, stood Daddy bear. He may not have made a sound, but he was there.

Strayhorn offers, “…even though the cub couldn’t see his father, his father stood guard, protecting his young. The little cub had power available greater than anything he could produce on his own. There was a greater power watching over him.”

Often in life, we become afraid. Sometimes we become grasping or anxious. Sometimes we let worry or confusion get the best of us. Sometimes we forget that we too have access to a greater power.  

Let us pray: Loving God, in those anxious, fearful moments, help us turn to you. Remind us to draw our strength and courage and wisdom from you. Grant us the ability to trust. Ultimately we rest in your hands. Thank you, Lord! Amen.