A metal barricade, warning signs and fellow hikers yelling words of
caution didn’t stop three young Christians from challenging a dangerous
waterfall at Yosemite National Park. I suppose the death of these young people
will be listed as accidental, but their actions were certainly deliberate.
Spiritually speaking we too crawl over barricades, ignore warning signs and
downplay the wisdom of others. And the danger doesn’t have to be the size of a
317-foot waterfall; it could resemble a simple irrigation ditch.
1 comment:
Gail;
-----Safety is relative. I know we don’t like the “r” word, but think about it. If that river had been running just a garden-hose trickle, these kids could have not only crossed the barrier safely, but also could have ventured out onto the riverbed, as long as they did not get close to the edge of the fall. Even with the river running full, if these kids would have been hydrogeologists they would have known what specific dangers and warning signs to heed beyond the barrier and could have ventured there more safely. Safety is effected by both the conditions of the situation and the knowledge of those involved. Maybe a more clear example: you might be rather safe at 65mph on I-70 being a well seasoned driver, but your safety’s not worth a nickel in the same circumstance driving at just two years old.
-----These kids were obviously not hydrogeologists. I grew up on a trout farm. I know the power of water. It can sweep you off your feet quickly. Often Christians are swept off their feet by the power of God. We become more sure than we ought of our safety in Him. We think that since we have unfinished plans of service for Him, or since we are living a search for His will, then He will surely keep us safe. And although we might be correct at times, His providence extends into what situations He chooses to which people He chooses for what purposes He has. His providence is not a natural element of safety; it’s rather a more supernatural one. So it is a bit presumptuous to expect it as if it were natural. That’s why we have barricades, warning signs, shouts of caution, and the wisdom of others for indicators of safe distance for us average Joe’s. Safety can be closer to the river for the more skilled, but the conditions get trickier and more erratic, until even they have a point of no venture.
Love you all,
Steve Corey
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