I recently came across a YouTube video showing two men gathering wild honey in a forest in Vietnam. That doesn’t sound terribly remarkable—until you see how they get it.
These men climb enormous jungle trees hundreds of feet into the air using little more than small nails pounded into the trunk with a rudimentary hammer. They step on those nails and climb higher and higher carrying backpacks and GoPro cameras. No safety rope. No harness. Nothing between them and the jungle floor except an astonishing amount of courage and confidence.
As they climb closer to their prize, the bees begin swarming and attacking. Thankfully, they’re wearing long sleeves, gloves, and screened face masks resembling jousting helmets. Finally, the camera reveals what they’re after: a massive honeycomb hanging from a branch high above the jungle canopy, covered with bees while thousands more swarm around them.
Amazing humans. No fear of heights and no fear of attacking bees…just pure focus on the task at hand.
Watching these men reminded me of something about our spiritual lives: persistence draws opposition. The higher we climb toward the Lord, the more resistance we should expect. The more determined we become to pray, obey, serve, witness, and live differently, the more angry “bees” we may encounter.
But don’t forget the honey.
Opposition doesn’t cancel God’s promises. Bee stings don’t remove the sweetness waiting on the branch. Sometimes they simply remind us that the battle is real—and that what we’re pursuing is worth fighting for.
God made human beings capable of remarkable courage and persistence. Let’s direct some of that determination toward Him.
Keep climbing. The bees may swarm, but the honey is still there. And if you want to see this amazing video, click the link below!
Wow! Another great analogy! When I first read your title, I thought about when I trim my dwarf palms and get attacked by yellow-jacket wasps! I wear long sleeves and long, leather gardening gloves, but I’ve still been stung a time or two. This week, I’ve been outside trimming a little bit at a time, but no wasps! I discovered an algaecide that I add to my pool, that actually repels wasps. This is a stretch…but, maybe when we put on our Holy Armor it acts as an algaecide and repels the “wasps” or fiery darts of the enemy?
Have a blessed day, Eric!
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Amen Heather! I can’t stand yellow jackets, I’ve been stung by them countless times. But I still appreciate them as Gods creation though I wish they at least had some honey behind their aggression. Your comment isn’t a stretch, it reminded me of James 4:7: “Submit yourselves therefore to God, resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
We can’t wear the armor until we’ve submitted to God, and we can’t resist the devil without the armor in place…but when we do the victories certainly happen more often. Have a blessed day!👍🏻🙏
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Thank you for reminding us to “keep our eyes on the prize” Our “honey” is to honor and glorify the Lord Jesus Christ and to enjoy Him forever..
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Amen, thank you my friend!👍🏻🙏
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Vietnamese honey gatherers don’t need a gym membership. They have amazing tree-climbing skills! Thank you for the inspiring analogy, Eric. 🙂
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That’s true! I could hear in the videos how hard they’re breathing , especially at the end when they have to climb back down on those skinny nails…those guys are super fit!👍🏻🙏
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Great analogy, brother Eric! It’s amazing what persistence can take you.
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You’re right! These men inspire me to “keep on keeping on”! Have a blessed day brother David!👍🏻🙏
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What a great analogy for the Christian walk brother Eric! Thank you for sharing this encouraging message today. God bless you and your family today 🙏
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Thank you brother Alan…maybe we should call it the “Christian Climb” instead?😆
Have a blessed day my friend!👍🏻🙏
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