Bear Necessities

2 Peter 3:10-13

If only we had a heads up on life’s curve balls! Wouldn’t it be great to be prepared for any situation?! I want to be like Bear Grylls – fearless and prepared for anything that comes his way. Bear seems to anticipate all possibilities and not dread them. He enjoys running into the “unexpected.”

Recently I went through an Alpha course and was pleasantly surprised to see Bear’s face on the screen. I didn’t know he had such a strong faith. I decided to google him and found multiple articles about his walk with God. I clicked on one story written a few months ago by Bear himself for British GQ. Again, pleasantly surprised to find such a story in this publication.

Bear wrote, “when we’re truly afraid and there’s no one around to help us, to possess a quiet faith can give us a persistence, light and courage that is so much greater than simply ourselves.” Later he says, “For many years I tried to do without it (faith). I tried to be strong only in myself. But the truth is that I’m not. I need a helping hand, a peace within and that quiet assurance for my future…I am no longer too proud to admit that I need my Saviour beside me.” He ends by saying, “Each fresh challenge offers an opportunity for you to develop your adventurous spirit and inner strength. So be brave. Embrace faith wherever you may find it. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.”

After reading this, I understood where Bear’s confidence comes from. He knows he could die doing what he does, but it doesn’t seem to faze him because he knows where he’s going and that there’s a wonderful new heaven and new earth waiting.

Word of God - Speak!

Revelation 21:5 (NIV)
 He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."


This past weekend the church I attend held a Renewal Weekend for women.  This is like a retreat, a time to draw close to God, to fellowship with other Christians and to share. We share our stories of God's love and His provision. We share our hearts and our time and our prayers with one another. Each of these weekends has a Scripture verse which is a theme verse.  Revelation 21:5 was that verse.

Because Scripture is living and active, these words spoke to the hearts of the 24 women in attendance in differing ways. Because God meets us where we are, His words will minister to each heart individually, on a day by day basis. This is one of the things I find so exciting about digging into the Word. Every morning when I ask for a word - He gives me one!

For example, May of 2012 I was living in the north woods of Wisconsin.  My husband had recently died and I was working through all the change my life now faced.  I had been here for 10 months and was sensing during my daily time with God, that things were about to change again. The time was approaching for me to return home. I called my former pastor to explain my feelings and he said, "God is making everything new." It was this very verse I had read and underlined in my Bible that morning.

The Bible begins with the majestic story of creation and ends with the fulfilling picture of the creation of a new heaven and a new earth.  God is making all things new and you can write it in indelible ink; for the words from God will not be erased. (paraphrased by this writer)



Revelation 21:1-5