Friday, April 17, 2015

Before the Sun Sets


Psalm 48:14
For this God is our God forever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.

One of the best perks of staying in a cabin managed by Watershed Cabins in the Nantahalas of North Carolina is being able to reserve an extra night of your stay for half price if no one is arriving there that evening.  For my husband, Danny, and I, that is Friday night, one where the onslaught of weekend vacationers is to be expected.  We only have two cabins above us on our right and one slightly lower on our left, all at a distance which guarantees privacy should any become occupied.  We expect to witness incoming cars filled with guests as the afternoon gives way to evening.

What we don't expect, however, is how many cars wend their luggage-loaded way up the steep, and I mean steep, incline toward this summit only to discover they have made a wrong turn somewhere along the line and are now condemned to retrace their precarious steps down the slippery slope.  Frightening!  Particularly, if one is visiting from the flatlands.  Especially, if one does not have a 4-wheel drive as we are mot fortunate to have in our Subaru.  Indeed, I'm convinced those having to face such obstacles, even if they don't believe in God, must feel moved to pray.

At least this once . . .

"How can they not have been given the right directions?"  I ask Danny.  "Watershed always gives us precise instructions.  They even warned us it would be 'up, up, up' to reach Hawk's Ridge Hideaway.  So 'up, up, up,' I didn't even dare look down into the gorge you so vividly described."

"Not all these cabins up here are managed by Watershed," Danny responds.  "Maybe they are less precise in that department, or these folks simply don't know how to follow a map."

"Well, all I can say is, I feel sorry for them, and I hope they find their way before the sun sets."

I hope they find their way before the sun sets . . .


~

God has a road map for us.  It's called the Holy Bible.  Everything we need to know about our human nature, our destiny, our failures, and our successes can be found in the 66 chapters which comprise it.  No matter where you are in your life right now, the Word can speak to you, personally and presently.  You can learn how to avoid the slippery slopes.  You can go up, up, up to the heights without fear or trepidation, reveling in the mountain top experience.  You can return down, down, down to the valleys and still retain the hope and faith gleaned from your ascendance.

You can face all odds.  You can embrace all circumstances.

For God, our God for ever and ever, guides us even to the end.

~

Will you trust in God to guide you?

Prayer:  Father, today I pray for all those who don't know Your Word and Your promise of salvation.  May they open the Holy Bible, the true road map, and seek Your will and Your ways for their lives.  Give to us the opportunities to share the Good News with others that they may find their way to You before the sun sets.  In Jesus' name, we pray.  Amen.

7 comments:

  1. Amazing how you make such simple things profound!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Janaki. Your compliment truly touched my heart.
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  2. Hi Martha! Oh my, I feel so bad for those drivers! I can totally see myself in their shoes. Thank God you were given good directions.
    I really like the way you connected those directions with the love and peace we get from Scripture. That is our way. Our direction. And if we stay close to Christ, we will never have to fear a scary road!

    Love the vacation photo, that deck looks so inviting :)
    Happy Weekend,
    Ceil

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    Replies
    1. I'm so glad you enjoyed the post, Ceil, and were able to identify with these poor lost souls traveling at dusk. And yes, we are so fortunate to have Christ and the Scriptures as our road map. Nothing looks scary in light of those!
      Love and blessings!

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  3. Another amazing post, Martha! I agree with Janaki's words. I'm so thankful for God's road map--the Bible! Its directions are considerably more clear than some directions from an one of a number of websites that provide directions.
    Love and blessings!

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    1. Thank you, Kim! Yes, the Bible and our Lord can always be counted upon to show us The Way. I thank God daily for these gifts.
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  4. wow to be that far along and realize how lost you are is frightening. Good related this to a lesson Martha and a great reminder for all of us!

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