lucky

According to news reports, Lucky, a German shepherd guide-dog for the blind, has so far been responsible for the deaths of all four of his previous owners.

``We will not have him put down. Lucky is basically a good guide dog,' Ernst Gerber, a dog trainer from Wuppertal, Germany told reporters. ``He just needs a little brush-up on some elementary skills, that's all.'

``I admit it's not an impressive record on paper. He led his first owner in front of a bus, and the second off the end of a pier. He actually pushed his third owner off a railway platform just as the Cologne to Frankfurt express was approaching and he walked his fourth owner into heavy traffic, before abandoning him and running away to safety. But, apart from epileptic fits, he has a lovely temperament. And guide dogs are difficult to train these days.'

Asked if Lucky's fifth owner would be told about his previous record, Gerber replied: ``No. It would make them nervous, and would make Lucky nervous. And when Lucky gets nervous he's liable to do something silly.'

Jesus spoke about the "blind leading the blind." I think he would have been just as critical of the "dangerous leading the blind." Either way, the point is that we need to take a good look at who (or what) it is that is leading us. Who (or what) have you chosen to follow? The answer is important because many of our choices are just as deadly as trusting Lucky. There is only one truly safe guide:

"He who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.....When he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers." (John 10:2,4,5)

Father, today I seek to hear your voice. In a world full of voices that try to lead me down paths that would harm me spiritually, I trust only you. Thank you for your faithfulness that allows me to trust your leadership. In Jesus' name, amen.