As you read the following story, I hope you will think of the Lord Jesus who came down to this world “to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:1010For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:10)). That’s you and me! He also promised to be our Saviour, Guide, Comforter and Friend when we call on Him and follow Him all the way to His home in heaven.
This story is about Jack who loved biking. After work he would often go exploring new forest trails. One pleasant evening he decided to ride the trails through a rather dense forest. He really was enjoying the stillness, the new scenery, the ponds and the birds. He kept riding for a good many miles. Then, noticing the sun was going down, he decided it would be wise to head back to the main road.
He pedaled as fast as he could, hoping he was choosing the right trails back to where he started. However, he began to notice landmarks that showed he was back at the same spot where he had been earlier, and darkness was closing in. Frantically he tried one path and another, until, to his alarm, he realized that he couldn’t find his way back—he was lost! Now he was really scared, and he did the only thing he could do—he called loudly for help.
That same evening another biker, Rob, who knew the trails very well and had often helped others find their way out, was also heading for home. He came to a crossing where there was a shortcut to the main road, so he stopped for a moment to decide whether to take it or enjoy a longer ride. Just at that moment he thought he heard something. He listened, and a far-off sound broke the stillness. Was it a call for help? Again he heard it, so he quickly mounted his bicycle.
Do you think he took the short cut and got away as fast as he could? No, he took the longer trail and pedaled as fast as he could. Soon he rounded a curve and saw in his headlight the lost man standing by his bicycle. When Jack saw the light coming, he called, “How do I get out of here ... I’m lost.” And not only was he lost, he was shaking with fear, cold and hunger. Rob rode up, and reassuring Jack that he could lead him out, opened his backpack and gave him some snack food and a drink. He waited until Jack calmed down, and then, lending him his spare light, Rob rode ahead and said, “Follow me.” And off they went.
We can only imagine the relief and thankfulness of that young man. He was following a guide with a light and knew he would arrive safely home. He was so grateful to Rob, he did not want to lose this new friend. “I would like to ride with you when you go biking,” he said. “I want to keep in touch with you ... you know the way.”
You and I do not need to get lost on our journey through life. The Lord Jesus knows the way that we should take, and He invites us to follow Him. He says, “I am the light of the world: he that [follows] Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:1212Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 8:12)). Jack desperately wanted to get safely home, and like him, we are all hoping to get safely to God’s home in heaven. However, we will only get there if we follow the One who knows the way, the Lord Jesus. He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man [comes] unto the Father, but by Me” (John 14:66Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6)). The Bible warns that “there is a way that [seems] right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 16:2525There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. (Proverbs 16:25)). How wise it is to call on Him before we lose our way.
Are you on the only way that leads to everlasting life?
ML-02/07/2010