Image copyright Ian Ho 2011 |
You have allowed me to suffer much hardship, but you will restore me to life again and lift me up from the depths of the earth.
Psalms 71:20 (NLT)
U-turns are possible with God. I'm hoping for one soon, oh Father.
Image copyright Ian Ho 2011 |
You have allowed me to suffer much hardship, but you will restore me to life again and lift me up from the depths of the earth.
Psalms 71:20 (NLT)
Image copyright Ian Ho 2009 |
The story is told of a man on an African safari deep in the jungle. The guide before him had a machete and was whacking away the tall weeds and thick underbrush. The traveler, wearied and hot, asked in frustration, "Where are we? Do you know where you are taking me? Where is the path?!" The seasoned guide stopped and looked back at the man and replied, "I am the path."
We ask the same questions, don't we? We ask God, "Where are you taking me? Where is the path?" And he, like the guide, doesn't tell us. Oh, he may give us a hint or two, but that's all. If he did, would we understand? Would we comprehend our location? No, like the traveler, we are unacquainted with this jungle. So rather than giving us an answer, Jesus gives us a far greater gift. He gives us himself.
Does he remove the jungle? No, the vegetation is still thick.
Does he purge the predators? No, danger still lurks.
Jesus doesn't give hope by changing the jungle; he restores our hope by giving us himself.