Encountering an extraordinary God in ordinary life
Issue # 221 August 06, 2001
Radar, The Wonder Bat

I spent yesterday afternoon and evening in fellowship with a group of Christians. I was at barbeque for people involved in a ministry that I write for.

I was a great time. The food was delicious and abundant. The weather warm and sunny. The rural setting was pretty and well maintained.

It was an opportunity to get to know some people better and their spouses for the first time. It was a time of real blessing.

We sat around the campfire and got top know each other a little better and swapped a yarn or two. One of our hosts shared a story from the night before.

Late in the evening, the bats had begun to hunt and were busy swooping and devouring mosquitoes and other insects. To my host’s surprise, one of the bats swooped into the tree line in pursuit of it’s prey and promptly ran head on into a tree and came crashing to the ground. I’ve heard of similar stories before, but have never seen it happen.

Given the strong sonar that bats use to navigate, our host had to put up with a lot of good natured teasing as he told this story.

I got thinking later about “Radar, the wonder bat” (as I’ve come to think of him) and his misfortune. The same sort of thing can happen to any of us.

We carry on about our business, trusting in our instincts and abilities to guide us and protect us. Suddenly, without warning, we find ourselves in a situation that’s over our head and we risk getting hurt.

Fortunately, we serve a loving God, who will give us wisdom to protect us from getting in over our heads if we consult Him.

Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her. I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion. Proverbs 8:10-12 NIV

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James 1:5 NIV

Until next time, In whatever venture you tackle, seek the Lord’s hand and His wisdom before embarking. Don’t be like Radar the wonder bat and find yourself trusting your own abilities and crashing.

God bless.

Kevin