On Edge Bush Hog

 

I approached an intersection the other day and a semi truck & trailer headed south caught my eye. This trailer was carrying 14 bush hogs. [Sidebar… in typing this out right now I wondered, I’ve always called them “bush hogs” but I wonder if that’s a brand name… kind of like Band-Aid verses bandage. You guessed it… there’s a reason why they are more frequently called bush hogs… because “rotary cutter” just doesn’t roll off the tongue as easily… rotary cutter… rotary cutter… rotary cutter…]

Okay, now that we know terminology… let me begin again. I noticed 14 rotary cutters on this semi trailer. Which personally, I love checking out the neat things truckers haul down the road, but this was different. Significant. Peculiar. Their orientation on the trailer. Vertical. The rotary cutters were being hauled in an upright position... on their edge. Sideways. Not their normal flat position. You know what I’m talking about right? Those large, low to the ground, flat mowers pulled behind a tractor for cutting grass in a large field more efficiently? You visualizing this piece of equipment with me? When in operation [or...hmmm... even when not in operation] they lay flat. Not on edge. Not sideways.

And then He spoke.

Your purpose may be to, figuratively, cut down the grass in a large open field. You may have all the right equipment and parts and pieces and tools. But before you can be used, you might need to be transported to the right place. In that transportation He, the Trucker, might actually turn you on your side in a position you do not expect to be turned. The hauling position is not the final position. Maybe you feel a little bit sideways in your life right now. Maybe you feel a little uncomfortable. Maybe a little exposed. Maybe it’s intentional. Maybe it’s because you are in the transportation season of your journey. Maybe this is temporary. Maybe you are on your way there. Maybe the destination is the next stop. Or maybe the fueling station or the rest stop is the next stop. But maybe just maybe you feel a little on edge and a little uncomfortable and a little exposed because you are in fact sideways in a transportation season. Maybe if this is you today, you need to rest in this stage and let the Trucker get you "there". Trust that He knows the route. Trust He knows the assignment, the destination, and the field in which you will be best suited. Trust the tightening of the security straps He has rightly secured to you, holding you right where you need to be for right now. And when you feel a little wobbly, maybe it’s because you’ve arrived at the destination, and He's loosening those straps, preparing you for your off loading.

 

Is this you today? Be encouraged!

 

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scroll for more thoughts for digging deeper, imagery to supplement these thoughts, and comment box for anyone with words to engage!

 

 

 

 

Words for Digging Deeper

“I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.” Psalm 130:5 NIV

 

“but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31 NIV

 

"Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun." Psalm 37:1-6 NIV

 

“Yet if you devote your heart to him and stretch out your hands to him, if you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent, then, free of fault, you will lift up your face; you will stand firm and without fear. You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by. Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning. You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety. You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid, and many will court your favor.” Job 11:13-19 NIV

 

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:1-4