Post by MIRIAM JACOB on May 25, 2007 9:19:53 GMT -5
IT'S A JUNGLE OUT THERE
by Max Lucado
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 give 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. And he has promised to stay until the very end. “I
am
with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt. 28:20 NIV).
We need that reminder. We all need that reminder. For all of us need
hope.
Some of you don’t need it right now. Your jungle has become a meadow
and
your journey a delight. If such is the case, congratulations. But
remember—we do not know what tomorrow holds. We do not know where
this
road will lead. You may be one turn from a cemetery, from a hospital
bed,
from an empty house. You may be a bend in the road from a jungle.
And though you don’t need your hope restored today, you may tomorrow.
And you need to know to whom to turn.
Or perhaps you do need hope today. You know you were not made for this
place. You know you are not equipped. You want someone to lead you out.
If so, call out for your Shepherd. He knows your voice. And he’s just
waiting for your request.
________________________________
From Traveling Light
Copyright (W Publishing Group, 2001) Max Lucado
www.maxlucado.com
by Max Lucado
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 give 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. And he has promised to stay until the very end. “I
am
with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt. 28:20 NIV).
We need that reminder. We all need that reminder. For all of us need
hope.
Some of you don’t need it right now. Your jungle has become a meadow
and
your journey a delight. If such is the case, congratulations. But
remember—we do not know what tomorrow holds. We do not know where
this
road will lead. You may be one turn from a cemetery, from a hospital
bed,
from an empty house. You may be a bend in the road from a jungle.
And though you don’t need your hope restored today, you may tomorrow.
And you need to know to whom to turn.
Or perhaps you do need hope today. You know you were not made for this
place. You know you are not equipped. You want someone to lead you out.
If so, call out for your Shepherd. He knows your voice. And he’s just
waiting for your request.
________________________________
From Traveling Light
Copyright (W Publishing Group, 2001) Max Lucado
www.maxlucado.com