The Cottage in the Forest

Richard Hollerman

If you are like me and I know that most people are, we are just poor people who can’t afford a “cottage in the forest.” Besides, if we know that we will be here on this earth for a very short time, even a matter of years (at most), we know that the most important thing that we can do with our life is to love, trust, and serve our God with every fiber of our being. Jesus Christ must be our All!

This means that even if we live to age 30 or 50 or 70 or longer, we will soon (very soon) die and meet God! Our time on earth is very, very limited and then the vast reaches of eternity stretches out before us. Thus, whatever we do on earth and whatever decisions we make will be important, only in light of eternal life.

We speak and write in light of the contents of this article—having a little college in a forest. We refer to some dwelling place (either tiny or huge) in the woods, and we live there to be blessed by the gifts of God our Creator. We know that all of this will burn up, probably very soon (2 Peter 3:7-14), thus let us make sure that even our domicile is able to be viewed in light of eternity.

With this in mind, are you seeking to make a dwelling place for you and your family, and for others who come your way, including those whom God has us deal with and seek to influence? In other words, are you earnestly seeking to be a light to the world of darkness? And this, of course, would include the place where you live.

It is not wrong to have a place to live. For some 4 ½ years I had nothing but generally it is good. Sadly, there are many who have no dwelling place because of war, expenses, lack of work, refugee status, and much more. But generally it is good to have a place to live and this is within God’s will.

It is also good to have food to eat and this also is good, providing the food is nutritious and not “junk” food. Although we know that some cannot afford to eat or eat well, generally it is good and positive to eat means.

It is also good to clothe ourselves and the clothes we wear are within God’s will. Sadly, we know that many (most?) wear clothes to adorn and use clothes in a wrong way. But clothes, per se, are good also and within the Lord’s will.

Notice Matthew 6:19-33 for all of this.

But there are positive benefits to living in the forest (the content of this article). We may be around nature, we may not only be near the trees and animals, and we may be able to hear the sounds of nature. There can be positives and negatives to this arrangement. It may be very hot in the summer and very cold in the winter. There may be a full moon every 28 days but also darkness at certain times. There may be insects, vermin, hurtful creatures, and aggressive insects and animals. There may be poisonous plants, an abundance of vegetation, or a dearth of this. But it can be pleasant as well.

Whether you find you’re dwelling in the country or wilderness or whether you locate in the city and a deep urban area, there may be opportunities to live for Jesus. Keep your eyes open. Make sure that you reach out to others, to bring them to Jesus the Savior, and to keep away from a solitary existence where you have no contact with others. Although there may be blessings to be had with 10 or 20 or 50 acres of land, remember that we have been places on earth to share the good news of Christ with those in need (Mark 16:15; cf. Matthew 28:18-20).

We know that this can be costly. It is not merely a matter of $10,000 but of much more! Sometimes and under certain circumstance, it may be much, much more! Would you and I do this knowing that our time is limited? Suppose that it were to take $100,000 or even $500,000 to purchase property! Suppose that it would not only be for land but also a house. Suppose that it would not only be your activity but also a place of refuge for others! Where would we be able to get the $100,000 or $500,000? Is it right (as Christians) to use this amount of money for such a place? And suppose you are unable to find the help, the fellowship, the way to bless others and their families in this way? What then?

We discuss these matters, both positive and negative, for we know that there is more than one side to this. There are positives and there are negatives. There are ways to glorify God and there are ways to fall into the hands of the enemy! Which will it be for you and me?