Chester and Joe, brothers in a different time and place, were dependent on each other since the death of their father. Chester, the older brother, took it upon himself to look for a home for the brothers, make a way for them in the world, and keep them safe. Joe, a bit reckless, usually followed Chester's lead, but sometimes he ignored Chester's chidings.
A few years after their father's death, Chester decided it would be better for them to move on and find new land for their animals and crops. They travelled until they reached the end of civilization. There, at the end of the worn pathway, Chester and Joe decided to stop. Here was the perfect place to plant their crops and build their homes.
Chester offered Joe first pick of the land. Looking around, Joe noticed some of the land held water and was unsuited to growing the best crops. He noticed the woods in the distance and felt the sun burning on his back.
"I'll take the land over by the forest," said Joe. "You can have the fields in the open." Chester tried to persuade Joe that the wood held danger, but Joe wouldn't listen.
So Joe planted his field of wheat and made a road between the wheat and the woods.
His wheat grew tall and straight. The wind blew across the kernel tops promising a bountiful harvest.
Joe was happy with his work and decided to spend the day fishing in the nearby pond.
Joe rested his pole against a stump and pushed his wide-brimmed hat over his eyes. Soon he was snoozing in the lazy evening light. Joe didn't notice the bear lumbering out of the wood toward the pond.
Chester had warned Joe that the wood held danger. He encouraged Joe to stay in the open where he could see what was on the horizon, but Joe had felt confident and assured Chester there was nothing to worry about.
The bear, seeing Joe fishing in his pond, began to charge. The snapping of branches and stomping of grasses woke Joe just as the bear entered the clearing by the pond. The bear was upon Joe before he could scream for Chester. The razor claws tore into Joe's flesh exposing muscle and bone. Once incited the bear would not stop. Joe was lost forever.
Chester mourned his brother, but remembered his own warning, "Stay in the open where you can see the horizon." Chester's wheat grew tall and straight, and the soil that held water was drained and fertilized until it too was fruitful. Chester knew hard work is worth the effort, and watchfulness is always warranted.
" Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8 NLT
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