Wayne Weekly “Camping Out in God’s Tent…Escaping the Black Flies of the World”
Written by Wayne Taylor on June 7, 2019
Just yesterday our afternoon drive announcer, Brian Munse, shared an experience he had had this past week-end on a family camping trip with friends to Eaton Lake in the beautiful Adirondack Mountains of New York. Brian told how the camping trip was an almost “let’s pack it in” before the first stake went into the ground. The reason…Black Flies!
Late May and early June is the peak of black fly season in the Adirondacks and the intensity and aggressiveness of the swarms of these small, dark-colored biting bugs varies greatly from one location to another and from one year to the next. (internet)
If you’re a seasonal New York state recreational camper, you learn to avoid the Adirondacks for your spring outdoor camping adventure. However, the excitement of warmer weather and the lure of the mountains and the “great outdoors”, can overshadow reason and we venture out carrying our “I will survive” battle cry.
Brian told how these insects relentlessly swarmed him, his family, and his fellow campers. There was little escaping these ravaging invaders (though who’s invading who?). What was to be an incredibly enjoyable outing, became a week-end of survival!
Because black flies tend to swarm their prey, a single victim can receive numerous bites in a short period of time, increasing the likelihood of a dangerous reaction. (internet)
On Mars Hill’s The Way Home radio program, Brian told how retreating into the family tent was the only real escape from the onslaught. Only in the shelter of nylon and screen did he and his family find solitude and rest and a moment to enjoy “the great outdoors”.
Brian likened the distraction created by black flies as the many distractions of this world, distractions that can hinder a Christian from spending time in prayer, that can hamper, even obstruct time with the Lord.
In Brian’s camping experience, the tent became the refuge, the shelter, the retreat in which to enjoy the sound of Loons, the beauty of an Adirondack lake, the glory of the night sky unhindered by the glow of city lights and protruding buildings. Brian likened the family tent as abiding in the tent of God. That’s where we find rest and are able to commune with our Maker.
1 Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent?
Who may live on your holy mountain?
2 The one whose walk is blameless,
who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth from their heart;
3 whose tongue utters no slander,
who does no wrong to a neighbor,
and casts no slur on others;
4 who despises a vile person
but honors those who fear the Lord;
who keeps an oath even when it hurts,
and does not change their mind;
5 who lends money to the poor without interest;
who does not accept a bribe against the innocent.
Psalm 15. A Psalm of David
