My experience feeding the cat that lives in our hedge has been insightful.
I've been feeding him now for about three weeks, but he still doesn't trust me at all.
I just want him to be comfortable around me. I don't know exactly why, but it's like, "hey I provide for you, you'd think you'd at least spend some time in my presence..."
I've started putting his food out when I'm on the porch, so he has no choice. Food equals time in my presence. He's gradually getting the pattern.
He has three locations where he assesses the risk of coming into my presence.
Out on the side walk 20 feet away, he peers into the porch and watches me.
After 5 minutes or so, he advances to where he can see my reflection in the window, but no direct line of site.
Then after some more time, he comes up the steps and watches me eye to eye, slowly advancing to the food.
While eating with me close by, he is jumpy and makes a run for it at the slightest change around him. One day, I hope he will realize he is safe with me. Safer than living in the hedge.
Doesn't that sound familiar?
We chose to live in the hedge of the world; at times, struggling for our provision, afraid of the world around us. And all the time, God is on the porch, He will provide for us. We just need to be comfortable in His presence. Jesus makes that possible.
Don't live in the hedge. It's dangerous and difficult. Come up on the porch. It's not only safe, it's where we belong; in God's presence.