As I look at this verdant scene: the narrow path that disappears from
view, and is surrounded by life, I am reminded of the words of our Lord, "But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Many years ago, I thought I was on this narrow path leading toward life, but I was so very wrong! I was deceived. Blind. I was blissfully headed for a ditch without even knowing it, along with multitudes of others that were like me. Thankfully, Jesus (my prince), in his loving-kindness and tender mercy, did something amazing to break the evil spell I was under for most of my life. He cured me of my spiritual blindness; he lifted me off of the path where the mindless multitudes roam; he saved me from falling over that looming edge of doom, where I would have been lost forever.
view, and is surrounded by life, I am reminded of the words of our Lord, "But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Many years ago, I thought I was on this narrow path leading toward life, but I was so very wrong! I was deceived. Blind. I was blissfully headed for a ditch without even knowing it, along with multitudes of others that were like me. Thankfully, Jesus (my prince), in his loving-kindness and tender mercy, did something amazing to break the evil spell I was under for most of my life. He cured me of my spiritual blindness; he lifted me off of the path where the mindless multitudes roam; he saved me from falling over that looming edge of doom, where I would have been lost forever.
Dear reader, I ask that you please humor me for a moment, because I will (here, and through out this blog) be using movies and other forms of media to either illustrate, or make a point; only because for most of us, they are common ground, or a familiar point of reference. And this is such a time....
...Do you remember that scene in 'Crocodile Dundee 2' where Wally was being held hostage by the Colombian drug dealers? Well if you have forgotten or if you haven't seen that movie, then let me jog your memory, or even sum it up. You see, some narcotic dealing desperadoes where threatening to shoot Wally (Mick Dundee's good friend), if Mick didn't give himself and Sue (his girlfriend) up to them - remember? Mick was visibly in a quandary. He was thinking hard and fast about his limited options. In this intense moment, you could see his mind racing by the darting motion of his crystal clear blue eyes. Then suddenly, those steely baby blues halted, and then he set his square leathery jaw. He had made a decision. "Go ahead and shoot the @#st;*!", he shouted down from his rocky perch. Crazy huh? Well everyone was shocked, especially Wally.
Then, while everyone at the scene was still reeling from the surprise of Mick's unexpected command, in one fluid motion, he quickly took aim and fired his rifle, hitting Wally in the head! Well, naturally, Sue was indignant and shocked, and as Mick dragged her to another vantage point, she breathlessly exclaimed in disbelief, "You shot Walter!" Mick replied, "I only nicked him, it was the only thing I could think of to save him." The bluff worked. Wally got up off the ground with a little flesh wound to the head and the lead drug thug took it as a ruthless move of self-preservation on Mick's part, when in reality, that was not the case at all. They kept Wally alive thinking they could use him to be their guide to track down Mick and Sue. But really, it was so Mick could buy some time until he could save him from their grasp. Why do I mention this scene? What is the point I wish to make? Dear reader, It is my desire to illustrate a very important Biblical truth: Jesus, the very one who loves us, will cause us physical harm as a means of saving us!