A Thai Cave Parable

There is an ongoing captivating news story that has held the the world's attention for the last two weeks.

In Thailand, twelve boys and their coach were trapped in the depths of a cave, one-half mile from the surface and a mile and a half from the cave entrance.
Though it was monsoon season and the coach knew that cave conditions could suddenly change, he chose to listen to a contrary opinion, a weather report that did not call for heavy rain, and he decided it was safe to take the boys caving -  a post-game outing.
Anticipating the fun of a short day-adventure, the boys entered the many-tunneled cave. That day the unexpected happened, a sudden downpour and a flash flood quickly flowed into the cave blocking the only exit from the cave.
They were trapped  with no way of escape . Being familiar with the cave, they used the light from flashlights - whose batteries would soon die, leaving them in total darkness -  to find a shelf where they were high enough to stay dry.
The world outside watched the desperate attempts, of many volunteers, to find them, hoping against hope to find them alive.  Finally,  on the tenth day of intense searching, two English divers located them.
Incredible relief and joyful cheers reverberated around the world !
 But their ordeal was not yet over. Getting them out was not an easy task. One solution under consideration was that the boys would have to wait up to four months until the rainy season was over and the water receded enough for them to be able to escape safely.  Thankfully, another way of escape was found to bring the boys out in days, rather then months. The boys were taught the skills they needed to learn, and taught how to wear the gear to allow them to breathe underwater as scuba divers guided them out. At this time of writing,  four boys and their coach are still in the cave awaiting their turn.

I tuned in daily, watching, prayerfully hoping the boys would be found and rejoiced when they were all thirteen shown to  be alive.
As I followed the story,  I realized that it portrayed a parable of our spiritual earthly life.

Adam and Eve knew God's warning, but they chose to listen to a contrary voice and their fall caused a tsunami of sin that blocked man's relationship with God.  The people of the world sat in darkness, on an earthly shelf that allowed a measure of protection, but they longed to be rescued, to be taken out of the darkness.

I can hardly imagine the boys relief and joy when they realized that FINALLY they had been found - their fading hope now a reality.  When they saw the light of their rescuers, it must have been the most welcome sight !
So too, finally, when hope was dim,  our Saviour came , and the Light shone in the darkness of this world.

   “The people who sat in darkness saw a great light, and upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death Light has dawned.”  

Joy unspeakable filled the hearts of God's people.  The world was watching and the news of the miracle spread quickly.

Though there was great rejoicing that the boys were found, their situation was still a dangerous one - they were still trapped in the cave.
So also we - even though we are found, even though we are saved  - we are still trapped in our earth-cave and we are oft confronted with danger and persecution and trials.
We will have to wait until, finally, death opens the tunnel that will allow us to escape this earth  - and into the heavenly life we look forward to.

But consider ...   once the boys were found, though they were still in the cave,  everything changed. Light shone in the darkness - they could SEE !   Doctors came  to evaluate their medical needs, food was brought in to restore their strength and renew their starving bodies. Blankets were brought in to warm them.  They were no longer alone, whatever they needed was brought to them and they were able to communicate with those from the outside.
So also with us.  Though Jesus came to set us free, we remain here on earth.
But everything has changed.  We are no longer alone, Jesus has promised to never leave us or forsake us Everything we need He will provide.  We no longer sit in darkness - we can SEE !
We are being watched by those outside the kingdom … “a cloud of witnesses”  who are cheering us on.  Our relationship with God is restored and we can communicate with Him in loving relationship.

The boys needed to learn new skills -- otherwise they would not be able to be brought out. They needed to learn to swim and scuba dive and mentally prepare so they would not panic when they became disoriented in murky water. They needed to become familiar with the equipment that they needed to wear.  They needed to trust their guides.
We too need to learn new skills if we are to persevere through the challenges of this earthly life.
We must learn to renew our mind, to embrace a  new way of living.
We need to learn to follow, even  in difficult life situations where we cannot see through the murky doubts that assail us.  .
We need to learn to trust even when we are afraid.
We need to put on the armor of God so that we will be equipped and be found strong  when death opens the tunnel,  ready for Jesus to lift us from this earthly life into His glorious Presence, where there is no pain or suffering or death  - but joy and pleasure for ever and ever !

TV Game Shows and the Game of Life

This morning as I was flicking through the channels looking for the news, I clicked past Price is Right and wondered at how many years that game show has been on - still looking the same!   And I thought of two other TV game shows that have survived over the many years - Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy.  The thought came to me that there must be something in those games that so appeals to human nature that they seemingly have no shelf life, but continue to hold the interest of the continuing generations those who watch them. (I did a quick google check and found that the above TV game shows  started  in 1975,1956, 1964, respectively) 

My thoughts quickly formed  themselves into something I thought could be post-worthy - using my observations as a parallel or parable to our Christian faith.
***

The creators of these three TV game shows obviously understood how people work - either they had a degree in human nature or had  a high degree of intuitive wisdom.  As I mentally compared these  successful game shows, one with another,  I came up with a list of eleven things they had in common and realized that they shared this list with with the Game of Life that the Creator of all things designed.

Let me list the aspects these three games have in common, and then for each draw a parallel to our own Christian  'game of life' -- (using the word 'game' as a generic word for something that must be 'played/lived out') 

1.  A HOST, GIVEN AUTHORITY   by those in charge -  to keep the game moving and to guide the contestants.

• Game of Life - We also have Someone given authority -- Jesus - who guides us through life -following what is 'said and done' by the Father, 

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying,

 "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  Matt. 28:18  

"The Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do,....: John 5:19 

"..."just as the Father has told Me, so I speak." John 12:50

2.  CONTESTANTS ARE CHOSEN  -- in all three games the participants are chosen out of many - choosing those who fulfill the requirements. 

• Game of Life -  Here too the 'participants' are chosen  - those who fulfill the requirements.. a few out of many. 

"For many are called, but few are chosen." Matthew 22:14

"For by grace you have been saved (chosen) through faith, and that not of yourselves,

 it is the gift of God." Ephesians 2:8

3.A CHEERING SECTION .   In each game show there is a watching crowd of people - supporting, cheering. 

• Game of Life -- we, who have been 'chosen' also have a cheering section, those who are watching and supporting us. 

 " Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses ...."

 " Hebrews 12:1

4.  EMOTIONS -  without emotions the game would be dull, so the emotions of excitement and anticipation run high in all the games. 

• Game of Life  --  God never intended that man should be 'emotionless' ... but that emotions should be enjoyed !  

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace ....." Galations 5:22a 

"Rejoice always !! "  I Thessalonians 5:16 

5. COMPETITION -- there is something in man that thrives with competition, maybe because competition pushes us to do our best !  

• Game of Life --  Here too we find 'competition' but rather than try to be better than someone else we are to compete with 'ourselves' ..  running to win !  striving to be our best  - always comparing ourselves with Christ, whom we follow and whose example we pattern our life after. 

 "For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise."  II Corinthians 10:12

BUT
there is still the competition to better ourselves, comparing ourselves with Christ's example ..

"....  let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." 

"He that says he abides in Him, ought himself also so to walk even as He walked." I John 2:6
  "Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless" II Peter 3:14

6. CHALLENGES -- I can't resist the something that rises up in me to prove wrong the person who says I can't do something!  We love a challenge, especially if we think we can win ! Contestants are challenged to choose well, or to answer well, or to make the right decisions that will result with them having the advantage to win over their competitors.

• 
  
• Game of Life - There are many verses that present a challenge to us in our Christian walk  Do you catch these 'challenges' and feel an answering call in your spirit ? or do you give up before you even try .....
  
  
  .. Jesus challenged the young ruler ... "If you want to be perfect, go sell what you have and give to the poor...." Matthew 19:21 The ultimate challenge to be perfectly mature.
   
  sometimes the challenge seems contrary to what is 'natural' ..
    "But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; 
  

  and your reward will be great,
  

  
  

   and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil."Luke 6:35
  or Jesus answer to the question of often we had to forgive ..
  "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven." Matthew 18:22

7.  RULES --  We have a love/hate relationship with rules.   We are prone to want the rules to apply to everyone else, while for ourselves we seek the loopholes.  But, seriously, we know that rules must be put in place for anything to be 'fair' ...  for there to be peace and unity and a place where everyone knows how 'things are to be done'. 
Can you image a 'game' where there are no rules?  Are the rules not there so we can 'enjoy' the game rather than have it be an endless frustration? 

• Game of Life -- God has given us the 'rules' by which we should live to make our earthly life fulfilling, enjoyable and productive.  Rules that 'give'  rather than take away.  Next time you balk at a 'rule' God has given, think about playing a game without rules .... and who better to make the rules than the one who created the game?
  
  Jesus came to make the 'rules' of His Kingdom as easy to obey as possible ..
  In fact... if you can remember - and obey - only two rules, you will WIN !
   "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and with all your mind.....this is the first commandment and the second is ... you shall love your neighbor as yourself....." Matthew 22:37-40  

8.  UNKNOWN -  So much in life is 'unknown'. There is a rush of adrenaline when we face it - in our minds or in looking to the future.  We have heard countless stories of brave men and women who ventured into the 'unknown' seeking the experience of the adventure.
In all of three of the games I noted,  there is an element of the unknown...  how will the game play out?  What will I encounter?  Will I win? Will I lose? 
While the unknown in real life  more often than not stirs up a sense of fear .... did you know that fear and excitement are really the same emotion?  The emotion  is interpreted in our brain, by its 'context'  to be felt as either fear or excitement.   Perhaps in playing games we are able to 'play out' this emotion in a controlled setting where we can override the fear in favour of  pleasant excitement. 

• Game of Life -  Here too is the element of unknown.  We do not not what the future holds. We don't know what tomorrow will bring. We don't know what our sweet children will grow up to be, or if they will be safe today.  While the unknown often causes us  anxiety , fear or worry , it is here that we are exercised to trust, to have faith,  in the One who holds the unknown.
  
  
  God understands our propensity to fear the unknown .  God tells to 'fear not' about 80 times in the Bible ... He would only need to say it once for it to be important , but to say it more than 80 times means He knows how important it is for US ...
• 
  What if we really believed , like Jeremiah , that nothing is beyond the control of our God..
   "'Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You." Jeremiah 32:17
  
  Then when an 'unknown' threatens us, instead of 'fear' we could rather feel 'excitement' and wait to see what God will do !!! 
  Is this not what Jesus was talking about in John 16:33?
  "These things I have spoken to you........ in the world you will have tribulation , but be of GOOD CHEER, I have overcome the world."
   ".. for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you.."
  God knows the 'unknown' of our future and has already taken care of it...
  "Your Father knows that you have need of these things - but seek first the kingdom of God .... and all these things will be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow,"
  Matthew 6:33,34
  

  
  

9. RISK    -  I really don't have much of a 'risk-gene'. I will always choose the 'sure thing' .. But I see and wonder about people who seem to thrive on 'risk' and will literally put their lives on the line.  Those indulging in extreme sports, or those who will gamble their life savings, or those who 'risk' that promising business deal that could go either way. A 'risk' factor is built into each of my  games -- Price is Right -- risking what is in their hand for what is behind a closed door ..  Wheel of Fotune - risking their money in hand for the '10,000.00 or bankrupt' card. Jeopardy - risking / making a wager against what they have to add more IF they answer the bonus question right.

• Game of Life - We also have a 'risk' factor built into our life of faith. God asks us to 'risk' a great deal. Do we believe it is a safe risk? Or do we hold back because we are afraid we will end up with less than we had before.
  
  
  Jesus asks us to risk this physical life for the 'hope' of eternal life.
  He tells the story of the man who found a 'pearl of great price' and  sold everything he had to buy the field in which the pearl was  hidden.
  "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking beautiful pearls , who when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all he had and bought it." Matthew 13:46
  
  Jesus also asks those who wish to follow him to 'risk' everything, even their own lives.
  "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me, for whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake
  will find it."  Matthew 16:24,25

10. HIDDEN THINGS  - I'm sure you have childhood memories of games that involved finding hidden things ...   Button -button so high ! -- Scavenger hunts --  Egg hunts -- to name a few.  And we all identify with the excitement of finding something that was 'lost' or 'hidden' or finding that 'treasure' in some flea-market or garage sale.  The Price is Right has lots of hidden things, including the things hidden behind the 3 final Doors.  Wheel of Fortune has hidden letters, that must be uncovered.  Jeopardy has hidden 'Daily Doubles' that give the 'finder' an advantage. 

• Game of Life -- Are there 'hidden' things?  Oh yes !  Tucked into the scriptures are hidden truths and life lessons and prophecies for us to find. God knew that to make His Word continually interesting to us, He would  'hide' things so that the more we looked, the more we found !  How often does God tell us to 'seek' Him ? or 'seek' wisdom or truth or seek the 'treasures' of His Kingdom.
  
  
   He compares seeking wisdom to seeking for treasure! 
  "If you seek her as silver and search for her as for hidden treasures.... then you will understand the fear of the Lord."  Prov. 2:4,5
  And He invites us to come and He will show us things hidden to others ... 
  "I will give you the treasures of darkness And hidden riches of secret places, That you may know that I, the LORD, Who call you by your name, Am the God of Israel." Isaiah 45:3
  

  
  

11. UNLIMITED FUNDS -  I am often amazed at how there never seems to be a lack of funds to support all the prizes and winnings offered and given to  the contestants. It seems that the financial backing of these game shows is a bottomless pit !  

• Game of Life -  We know that our God has an unlimited source of riches to be able to supply abundantly above anything we need and able to meet the cost of any of His promises to every one of His children ! He is beyond wealthy !!
  
  
   He owns ..
  ."the cattle on a thousand hills ....the world is His and all that is in it ...
  the silver and the gold"   Psalm 50:10, 5:12 , Haggai 2:8
  

  "
  He is quite able to afford all our expenses !
  "And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19

12. REWARD - Without a reward, we are motivated to do almost nothing !  We want our efforts to be 'rewarded' in one way or another ....  and somehow  financial reward motivates quicker than any other.  Of course, in the TV games,  financial reward drives them all three. To win money we didn't have to work for is a reward our dreams are made of.  And if we can't 'win' then we enjoy  feeling the excitement of someone else  and participating in their joy. 

• Game of Life --  are we promised rewards?   Oh yes... God understands what motivates us ! And all earthly rewards pale when compared with the rewards God promises us !
  
  
  Jesus promises ...
  "And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to everyone according to his work." Revelation 22:12
  
  In I Corinthians is a lovely passage that promises rewards 
• for  competing well in our earthly journey ...
  "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes (for earthly things) do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown !"  I Corinthians 9:24,25

***** 

I hope that this  look at how our Christian life parallels the features that make a good game enjoyable encourages you to play with zeal and excitement the life-game that God laid before us. 

And may you WIN !!   

Life out of Death

I am someone who is reluctant to throw anything out that has sentimental value to me. Nor do I quickly throw out a plant even though it appears to be dead . I need to be absolutely sure.
Last year we bought a gorgeous Mandevilla plant. Being a tropical plant it must be kept as a patio plant and brought inside to wait out winter in a semi-dormant stage.
I brought it in before the frost last year and hovered over it all winter willing it not to die. But the leaves turned yellow and fell off. The stems lost their green color and turned dead brown.
But I hoped.
In spring we put it back on the patio and I watched... searching every day for some sign of life. I saw none. After a couple of months we broke down and went to the nursery to buy a replacement plant -- but they did not have the variety we wanted, Moonlight Parfait.
I continued to examine my plant daily until one morning , I called excitedly to my husband. "Look, look, I think that tiny bump is a little bit green!" My husband bent down for a closer look but he saw nothing that looked like life.
I watched ... day after day ... until there was no doubt that indeed my Mandevilla was growing, There is definitely life and fresh growth, as my above photo proves. I will enjoy the incredible blooms again this summer, and my joy will be heightened because I thought the plant was dead.

I thought of the parable that Jesus told in Luke 13:6-9
A man had a fig tree in his vineyard, that for some reason was not healthy. It bore no fruit when it was expected. He had been patient with the tree long enough.
He said to his gardener, "Look, enough is enough .. for three years this tree has born no fruit. Cut it down, it is taking up space that could be given to a more fruitful tree!"

But I identify with the gardener who pleaded, "Please, wait a little longer.. just one more year. I will dig around it and fertilize it and if it then bears fruit , wonderful!! If it fails again .. then you can cut it down."

Jesus told the story to reveal that He Himself has the heart of the gardener. He is reluctant to give up even if there is no sign of life. He will wait, patiently looking for that tiny spark. He will do all He can do, in whatever way He can to encourage life to flourish once more. He will guard carefully that nothing hurt or hinder the fruitful life He seeks.
We all have had times in our life where we have died or almost died. Times where we were so discouraged or downcast that we could barely hang on to life, bearing fruit was beyond our strength. Times where circumstances were such that death seemed imminent. Yet the Gardener was waiting, "digging around us and fertilizing" - perhaps we were not even aware until we could look back with hindsight.
We are not told, in the parable, whether the tree bore fruit the next year - it was up to the tree to respond to the care it was given.
So also we must respond to God's Spirit -- with whatever strength we have , it will be enough.

Did you notice the last detail in the story?
The Gardener's heart is so tender toward the tree that even though the vineyard owner told HIM to cut down the useless tree, the Gardener responds that if the tree does not bear fruit in spite of all my care , YOU cut it down."

Such is the loving heart of the One who calls us His own.
**

The Ship is Sinking

Last week I saw a documentary about the Oceanos.
The Oceanos was a Greek cruise ship with the highest possible safety rating at Lloyds Registry of Shipping. She was sailing off the coast of South Africa when she hit turbulent waters and sank on Aug. 4,1991.

The crew discovered the ship was in trouble and instead of alerting the passengers they quietly lowered the life boats at 3:00 am. and deserted the ship.

The Captain was still on board but he did and said nothing, leaving the passengers unaware their very lives were in danger.

There were entertainers on board, Julian Butler and Moss Hills and His wife Tracy.
Despite the stormy weather they were doing their best to distract the passengers, but most of the 571 passengers were lying down in their berths.

It was Moss Hills who began to be concerned that not all was well with the ship and he went to speak with the captain who insisted all was well and that the ship was not in any kind of danger. Hills was not convinced and he went below deck to see for himself. What he saw, to his horror, was that the hull was rapidly filling with water. He realized that he would have to take charge if any one was to be saved.

He and his wife and fellow entertainer alerted the passengers to the imminent danger, handed out life jackets and ordered them all to the comparative safely of the top deck.
He radioed for help and several helicopters flew in for the rescue attempt.
The captain insisted that he be lifted to safety in the first helicopter - ignoring the age old rule that the Captain goes down with his ship.
(He, along with members of his crew, were later charged with negligence by the Greek Maritime Board.)

Thanks to the three entertainers, all 571 passengers were airlifted to safely. Butler, Hills and Tracie were among the last 5 to be airlifted, just before the ship sank.


An investigation revealed that there had been an unrepaired leak in the watertight bulkhead which would not have been a problem except that a door had been carelessly left open allowing the water to spread to the other departments. Also the port holes had not been closed by the fleeing crew which was standard procedure in an emergency. Because the port holes were open when the ship turned on its side it could not right itself because of the water rushing in through the port holes.


At the end of the documentary Hills commented. "What I learned from my experience was that rules are there for a reason and when obedience to these rules is neglected the results are disastrous."


I saw this story as a parable.

Our Ship Earth has the highest safety rating that can be given to any ship sailing through the universe.

Original Sin has caused a leak in Ship Earth, but this in itself would not be a problem if the safety rules, given by God Himself were followed. They have, however, been blatantly ignored and disobeyed.
Consequently, Ship Earth is sailing toward destruction, but its passengers are totally unaware of any danger.

When things go wrong, the 'crew' of this world looks out for number one. They are quick to lower life rafts to ensure their own safety instead of risking their lives to save others. The captains are paralyzed, turning a deaf ear and blind eye to any danger signs.
Their wisdom and advice will help no one in the day Ship Earth sinks.

There is only one hope.

There are 'entertainers' on board Ship Earth.
Christians - Their message is not taken seriously and is often good for a laugh.
It is the Christians who see that Ship Earth is in danger and they are the ones with hope.
Their message will save any passenger who hears and obeys.
Everyone who hears their message and receives it will be air lifted to safety,
saved from eternal death to enjoy eternal life!

The lesson from the Oceanos.....
God has given us rules regarding every aspect of our life. His rules are not given to make our life difficult but to make it 'safe' . He gave us the 10 commandments, He lay before us the blessings in Deut. 28 and warned us of the curses (consequences) that follow disobedience. As surely as the rules of gravity cannot be ignored without hurt, so also God's other rules cannot be ignored without dire consequences.
May we learn to seek to know the rules that God put into place,
and obey them, every one.

"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?"
Jesus said to him, 'YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.'
This is the first and great commandment.
And the second is like it: 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.'
On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."

Matt. 22:36-40

********

Stranded on the River of Life

Our pastor, on Sunday morning, told of his experience this past week. He and his wife had gone out for a day’s excursion down a beautiful local river with their motor boat and kayaks along with some friends who brought their speed boat.
Late afternoon they pulled into a pretty spot along the river bank. They stayed too long, the fall sunset comes early and they realized they would probably not make it back before dark.
They travelled together for a time, then their friends in the speed boat declared that since it was a school night they needed to get back and with a quick farewell , stepped on the gas pedal and roared out of sight.
Not two minutes later, our pastor’s boat stalled and refused to start. Were they out of fuel? Or the boat not in good repair? To make their predicament more serious, their cell phone showed no reception. It was now dark. What could they do, other than spend an uncomfortable night camped on the shore? They thought fast and came up with the plan that if the pastor’s wife and the friend that was with them tied the two kayaks to the boat they might be able to pull the boat with the pastor helping to row . This they did and after struggling a short distance down the river found that they now had cell phone connection.

It was short lived, however; only long enough to shout, “We are stranded, send help!” Did the message get through? They did not know.

Finally, a couple of hours later, they saw the welcome sight of Search and Rescue coming toward them. Helping them into the rescue boat, the officers reminded them to put on their life jackets. Ignoring safety rules, they had not been wearing them and the pastor’s life jacket was no where to be found, along with one of the kayaks.
They were brought to safety, their river trip a little more exciting than they had anticipated !

As I thought about their experience, I realized it lent itself as a perfect analogy of the Christian’s life .

Christians travel down the river of life toward their eternal destination – home with Jesus.
As they travel along, their attention is at times diverted by the things of this world lining the banks of the river.
At times they head for shore and pull up their boat to enjoy the pleasures the world has to offer.
Sometimes they stay too long and find that darkness is overtaking them. Some have speed boats and they rush back to safety.
But others have not been so diligent in keeping themselves ‘fuelled up’ or their ‘boat’ in good repair, and suddenly they find that they are stranded – their boat dead in the water. Have they ignored the voice of the Holy Spirit in their lives? Are they ‘empty’ of His power ?

Fearful of the danger they find themselves in, they call out to the Lord. But their ‘connection’ is not good… they have also neglected their times of fellowship with the Lord and now when they are in need of it, connection cannot be found.

Now, suddenly they make the effort, willing themselves back into a place where they can find the Lord. For a minute, they see heaven open and they cry out! But then darkness again closes around their soul and they wonder. Was it enough? Had He heard? Would He answer?
The darkness around them is frightening, they long for the comfort of the assurance that they are not alone, that the Lord is with them. Then, they see in the distance that help is on its way. God did hear and God heard and sent ‘search and rescue’ to find them. But where are their life jackets? God’s Word left lying unopened in the bottom of the 'boat'? Or worse – lost somewhere?
What relief floods their soul… what gratitude to the Lord for His care. Will it make them more careful next time to avoid the dangers of the ‘river journey’ ?

Jud 1:21 "keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life."

“Dear Lord, we thank you for the river of life that you have placed us on with the sure hope of our destination. Thank you for the safely of the ‘boat’ of your love. May we remember to stay full of the Holy Spirit that ‘fuels’ us and keeps us moving forward. May we keep ourselves in prayer and in Your Word to keep us safe and strong! May we not be distracted by the worldly pleasures that pull us away from you. May we keep our eyes on You and on our goal! Amen”

*****

A Modern Parable

On March 23,1994 - Aeoflot flight 593, on route from Moscow, Russia to Hong Kong was anticipated with eagerness by two Russian children.
They were taking their first international flight by special invitation from the pilot, Yaroslav Kudrinsky, who happened to be the youngsters' father!

Safely on it's designated flight path, the plane's controls were set on automatic pilot. Kudrinsky invited his son and daughter into the cockpit to experience the thrill of sitting at the controls.
His daughter sat in the co-pilot's seat first putting her hands on the control column. Then Kudrinsky invited his son to do the same, but something went terribly wrong after 15 year old Eldar took hold of the control column. The plane's wings began to dip at precarious angles and within a few minutes the hopelessly out of control Airbus crashed into a Siberian hillside killing all 75 on board.
What went wrong ?

Bit by bit the pieces were put together by investigators who understood the airplane and who listened over and over again to the information yielded by the recovered 'black box' flight data recorder.
I recently watched a documentary about this ill-fated Airbus flight.
When Eldar put his hands on the control column, he did not mimic the gentle touch of his sister's hands. Instead, he exerted force on it for a sustained 30 seconds. At that point the automatic pilot (as it was programed to do) partly disengaged and put the control of the airplane literally into Aldar's hands. The plane began to fly at crazy angles and the pilot and co-pilots began to panic, frantically trying to discover what was wrong with the plane before it was too late.
In the Russian -made planes if the automatic pilot is disengaged , an alarm sounds. In the American built Airbus there was no such alarm, only a small red light that went unnoticed by the men in the cockpit. They pulled as hard as they could on the control column trying to right the airplane but all their efforts were in vain, the plane was beyond human control and it went into a steep nose dive to its destruction and the death of all on board.

As I watched an enactment of the final moments in the cockpit, two pilots sat in the simulator going through every action taken by the real-life pilots. At one point, the plane now hopelessly out of control, the pilots suddenly deviated from the actions of the real life pilots ---- they simply let go of the control column. The plane righted itself effortlessly and returned to flying in a totally controlled flight pattern.
The Airbus was designed in such a way that no matter how out of control the airplane was , simply letting go of the controls would bring it out of the worst possible dive or tail spin.
Pilot Kudrinsky had not been trained nor made aware of this safety feature built into the plane he was flying and it cost him his life and the lives of those in his care.

As I watched, I saw this story as a parable.
We all are invited to sit at the controls of the life that God has given us. We enjoy life in our childhood, simply taking it as it comes. By the time we reach our teens most of us have reasoned that life would treat us much better if we lived it on our own terms. We grab hold of the control column and resist against the things that we don't like, the things that come against us, the things that stand in the way of what we want, the things that demand of us what we are not willing to give.
At first we feel great! We are in control. We are flying our life!
Even when our life begins to tilt out of control, we are not immediately alarmed, we believe we can bring it back under control !!
There is a red warning light but we ignore it.
We try harder and harder, scrambling, grabbing, pushing, but our sin, our rebellion against God spins us more and more out of control, and the harder we try the faster we fall to our destruction.

If only we knew ! There is a safety mechanism build into our spiritual DNA .... at any time in our life if we simply repent - let go of our own way and submit to God -- our life will right itself ... and we will find our purpose.
Even as Christians how often do our knuckles turn white on the control column when simply letting go and trusting God will put everything right!

"There is a way that seems right to man, but the end thereof is death.
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding, and He shall direct your paths. (Prov.16:25, Prov.3:5,6b)