One can be attracted to anything when visiting vast estates. I generally veer towards the gardens, as I love admiring plant life. Not today though! Although the gardens were stunning, my attention was riveted on a specific stone painting.

The painting showed a herd of elk being driven into a river. A myriad of canoes waited in the water, each manned with native warriors armed with spears. The purpose? Once in the water, the elk would be easy prey for the awaiting warriors.

It’s amazing how long-buried memories can resurface in an instant! At the sight of that picture, my mind flashed back to something I had learned in history class: One way to assure a successful elk hunt was to approach the herd with lots of noise from all sides but one. Hemmed in and scared to death by the noise, the elk will not turn to face the enemy. Instead, they will turn tail and run for the only opening available to them, in this case, the river. Though good swimmers, elk are no match for the swift canoes and their native warriors. Dozens could be speared in just a few minutes.

If you think about it, had these elks turned to face what they thought to be their “enemy”, the noise, they likely would have forced their way through the lines with very few casualties! A bad choice cost the lives of many in the herd.

Just like the elk, we also often face heavy trials, many of which originate directly from the demons of hell. And just like the elk, our tendency is to run away from them as fast as we can. However, reality dictates that you can’t run from your problems, and sooner or later, similar (or worse!) circumstances will return with even more vengeance. Running away only makes us weaker and more vulnerable.

In such situations, some look towards leadership for direction. Incidentally, this is what the elk do, and their leaders lead them right into the trap. This is often the case with our own trials as well. Misplaces leadership can lead to catastrophe. Although we need to respect our leaders, no matter the cost, we need to look to a much higher source for direction. One and only One can help us out of our mess and lead us to safety! He is the head of all leaders, the solution to all of our tumultuous situations. Anything else will only tend to make us more vulnerable!

“He (Jesus) is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.” (Col 1:18 NIV)

“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me… And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matt 28:18, 20 NIV)

“The Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials…” (2 Peter 2:9 NIV)

Who will you follow when all hell breaks loose? I vouch for Jesus. He has never let me down!

Rob Chaffart