An African proverb says, "Only a fool tests the depth of the water with
both feet." Without realizing it, many of us do exactly that, vainly
hoping to gain a better life.
It was a hot summer day. Jason, a visitor from the city, wanted to take a
cool swim in the river. "Are there any alligators in this river?" he
asked a local man who was fishing from the river bank. "No, not a single
one," assured the fisherman.
Jason was still disturbed. There seemed to be some gray forms beneath the
water's surface, moving in circles. So he asked the fisherman, "If there
are no alligators here, what are those gray forms I see? Are you sure
there are no alligators?"
"Certainly," replied the fisherman, "There are no alligators down there.
Those gray forms you see are sharks that have chased the alligators away."
How Does This Apply to Our Lives?
The fisherman was right. Alligators were not a threat to Jason. But the
fisherman didn't warn Jason about the sharks. If Jason had gone swimming,
he would have faced a danger that was just as bad, if not worse. Because
the sharks were waiting for another meal.
We also face danger as we seek better and happier lives. For example,
television programs and advertisements depict the "good life" in ways that
are carefully designed to gain our attention, our time, and our money. But
after watching just a few minutes of news, the long-term results of
blindly following the world's approach to life can sadden and even depress
you.
Many of us rely on advice about life from those who know only part of our
needs as people. Or we seek relief from pressures and problems by turning
to material possessions and ways to have fun. Either route is like
swapping alligators for sharks. The real, underlying issues in our lives
are neglected, and therefore grow worse, while we end up with
disappointment, more possessions and less money.
It's really a matter of where to place your trust. Turn to the one
dependable Source that has your best interests at heart. That one Source
is God Himself, the Creator of all that exists Who loved you enough to
sacrifice His son just for you. God also loved you enough to provide His
Word, the Bible, to guide you and help you through the good times, and
through the bad times.
So test your actions, your opinions and your decisions by God's Word.
Reliable advice about the alligators, the sharks and the water awaits
anyone who looks to heaven.
"O Lord Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you." (Psalm 84:12)
-rich mclawhorn
both feet." Without realizing it, many of us do exactly that, vainly
hoping to gain a better life.
It was a hot summer day. Jason, a visitor from the city, wanted to take a
cool swim in the river. "Are there any alligators in this river?" he
asked a local man who was fishing from the river bank. "No, not a single
one," assured the fisherman.
Jason was still disturbed. There seemed to be some gray forms beneath the
water's surface, moving in circles. So he asked the fisherman, "If there
are no alligators here, what are those gray forms I see? Are you sure
there are no alligators?"
"Certainly," replied the fisherman, "There are no alligators down there.
Those gray forms you see are sharks that have chased the alligators away."
How Does This Apply to Our Lives?
The fisherman was right. Alligators were not a threat to Jason. But the
fisherman didn't warn Jason about the sharks. If Jason had gone swimming,
he would have faced a danger that was just as bad, if not worse. Because
the sharks were waiting for another meal.
We also face danger as we seek better and happier lives. For example,
television programs and advertisements depict the "good life" in ways that
are carefully designed to gain our attention, our time, and our money. But
after watching just a few minutes of news, the long-term results of
blindly following the world's approach to life can sadden and even depress
you.
Many of us rely on advice about life from those who know only part of our
needs as people. Or we seek relief from pressures and problems by turning
to material possessions and ways to have fun. Either route is like
swapping alligators for sharks. The real, underlying issues in our lives
are neglected, and therefore grow worse, while we end up with
disappointment, more possessions and less money.
It's really a matter of where to place your trust. Turn to the one
dependable Source that has your best interests at heart. That one Source
is God Himself, the Creator of all that exists Who loved you enough to
sacrifice His son just for you. God also loved you enough to provide His
Word, the Bible, to guide you and help you through the good times, and
through the bad times.
So test your actions, your opinions and your decisions by God's Word.
Reliable advice about the alligators, the sharks and the water awaits
anyone who looks to heaven.
"O Lord Almighty, blessed is the man who trusts in you." (Psalm 84:12)
-rich mclawhorn
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