By Dan Oliva

Calvary Presbyterian

A few weeks ago, I was out for an early-morning run. The sun was just coming up, the air was crisp and clean and I was heading down a long straightaway near Mount Peak. It was the perfect day for a run – until I saw something blocking the road up ahead. My first thought was, “dog!”

If you know me, you know I have this semi-irrational fear of what some call “man’s best friend.” This is one of the great deceptions of the century – I am convinced it is a lie perpetuated by the dogs themselves, by some kind of Canine Public Relations Department located in a secure, undisclosed location. Every dog I’ve ever met has either tried to kill me or has wanted to. I can just tell.

So when I saw something moving across the road, I figured it was yet another loose dog and I quickly pulled out my pepper spray. This is not the giant-sized, holstered grizzly-bear spray you see in hunting stores; instead, it is actually quite small, about the size of breath spray (Woe to whoever mistakes the two). Though small, it gives me courage and confidence on my runs.

Boldly I ran down the road toward this moving creature, ready to spray first and ask questions later. As I drew closer, I began to notice other movement, not just in the road but along the sides and in the nearby fields. Then I was among the beasts! Not a single dog in sight; instead, I was surrounded by a herd of very large elk.

As we stared each other down, I realized how foolish I must look to these elk – my tiny pepper spray was no match for these giants, especially if one decided to charge me. Elk probably WOULD use pepper spray for breath spray! Luckily, the elk had little interest in me and they let me pass in peace.

When challenges and difficulties come our way, we all reach into our pocket for some kind of figurative pepper spray, some tool to help us make it through. So often, however, our tools are completely inadequate for the situation. Problems at work? Squirt, squirt – we take it out on our spouse or our children. Problems in our marriage? Spray, spray – we withdraw into ourselves and hide out in the shop, in the local tavern or on our computer. Bad habits or addictive behaviors? We deny it, keep it a secret and choose to live fractured lives. In the end, it’s like pepper spray to an elk, completely insufficient.

Next time you are facing a challenge or a crisis, why not try reaching for something else? Instead of the usual coping devices, reach for something that will actually help. Reach for a friend who has a good listening ear. Reach for a pastor or priest, a spiritual mentor who can offer words of encouragement and support. Reach for a church family, a group of believers who are ready and willing to surround you with strength and remind you of hope. Or go all in and reach for a God who, I believe, created us with dignity and value, a God who wants us to live with freedom and wholeness, a God who wants to bring meaning and purpose to my life and to yours.

What are you reaching for right now? Is it working? Could it be time to try something else?