After a recent sermon I gave about carefully choosing the path ahead of us, I came across this old classic story that seemed to tie in very well:

The town is flooded, and the preacher climbs to the roof of his church so as not to drown. A man in a rowboat tries to rescue him but the preacher refuses to get in, saying “the Lord will save me.” A man in a motorboat tries to rescue him but the preacher refuses to get in, saying “the Lord will save me.” Man in a helicopter tries to rescue him, but the preacher refuses to get in, saying “the Lord will save me.” The preacher eventually drowns and when he meets God in heaven he asks, “Oh Lord, why didn’t you save me?” And the Lord replied, “I sent two boats and a helicopter, what else would you have Me do?” 

I’m always up for a good joke or nice funny story, but this one seems to fall more into the “sad, but true” category for me. I guess it’s because I see it play-out too often in the lives around me. I see a person struggle and struggle, gasping for air as they barely keep their head above water, all the while ignoring the myriad of life preservers Christ offers them. Connecting to him through the Bible, through prayer, and through his people, are among just a few ways God seeks to reach us.

Too often, of those hoping to discover God’s will in various aspects of life, we hear, “I just wish God would give me a sign.” Let me make something very clear; God is not interested in keeping his will a secret. He has a tough enough time getting people to follow his promptings when they do know what he desires, let alone when they aren’t 100% sure. The same promise he gave to Joshua is the same promise he offers us; The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. (Deuteronomy 31:8) He is continually offering guidance and “signs” for us, each and every step along our path.

The question becomes, are we sensitizing ourselves to God’s Spirit, allowing ourselves to recognize the “signs” or are we just like the pastor in the story, ignoring the two boats and the helicopter? Are we carefully listening for his voice or carelessly speeding through life, deafened by the blaring noise of a chaotic life?

Another wonderful promise we can take to heart is found in Isaiah 30:21;

Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Fellow followers of Christ let’s listen more carefully to our trustworthy guide. Let’s step where he steps and avoid what he avoids. Simply put, let’s learn to be better followers, every day trusting more and more in our loving Father!

May he abundantly bless your journey!

~ Pastor Mitch