I was so excited when my parents gave me a brand-new climbing stand.  I couldn’t wait to climb up any tree I wanted, so I could hunt wherever I wanted.  And I was sure that I knew everything about using it.

I was wrong.

My stand was in two pieces – a bottom piece and a piece for my bottom.  You set one piece and raise the next piece – set it and raise the other – set it and keep the pattern going.  Oh, and you tie a cord to both pieces, so that neither piece falls.

Except – my cord was wax-covered, and in the extreme cold the knot that I tied came lose without me knowing about it.  I realized it when the bottom piece fell all the way to the ground, and I was left with the upper piece – WAY up in the tree.

Thankfully, I realized that I could not be “Jay” for the moment because I was scared silly.  I began to picture myself as a monkey or a bear; after all, they can climb trees.  So, I took off my gloves, secured my gun, and began to shimmy down the tree.  Though I cannot tell you how I did it, I made it to the ground.  And I learned a lesson about safety and tree stands.

Too often, we face big choices (and small ones), but we do not know how to deal with them.

Most people will face a choice and deal with it however they think works best.  Some people face a choice and ask God to help them do what they have already decided to do.  Some people ask God to guide them, show them the solution, and help them do it.

Which do you think is best?

Which do you think honors God?

The Apostle Paul once encouraged Christians to live wisely and be careful about being foolish.  Instead he said (in 1 Corinthians 5:18), “be filled by the Spirit.”  When you recognize how foolish we are (on our own), you are ready to allow Him control.  We need Him.  We need His guidance.  We need His help.  We need Him to overrule our selfish will.

If you don’t know how to deal with something, let God show you and help you.

If you think you know how to deal with something, make sure you ask God to show you what He wants and then do it.

He will help you get down from the tree.

In the meantime, I thought I’d share something that I wish I had had back then – a tree stand safety strap. If you hunt, click the picture below and get one – you need it!

When Dr. Jay Cook is asked to share a little of himself; his reply is, “Good question.  I ask it a lot.” His delight is sharing that he is a blessed man – married to a wonderful woman (Kristi Cook) – and awed by his two amazing kids (Jameson & Amelia Rose). He has served in ministry for over 30 years and loves to help others in any way he can. Jay is the Associational Missions Strategist for the Leake County Baptist Association, and a part of an amazing new church (3:16 church) in Canton, MS.  He also helps other churches (as he is able) through revivals, conferences, or however God leads.  He shares his thoughts of a man just trying to live for Jesus (and wanting to help others do the same) through his blog at Dr. Jay Cook.

Image by ChatGPT

Books by Dr. Jay Cook

What could I possibly do for God?
That is a question that so many of us ask. We see the “celebrities” doing great things. We see people who have incredible abilities that we don’t think we have. We don’t want to just sit around, but we don’t know what to do.
BUT – Christians already have what they need to do what God wants them to do!
Take this journey of discovering how God has already gifted you through what the Bible calls, “Spiritual Gifts.” You will find the excitement that you know we ought to have. You will please God. And your church will never be the same.