Once
while a teen I was fishing with my friend and pastor. The
fish were not complying with our wishes. It was one
of those lazy sunny New Mexico fall afternoons. Not to hot, not to cold
but perfect for feeling the lake breezes play though your
hair. We were having a discussion about what life is
about. I expressed doubt that my life would ever have any
impact on anyone. My friend ask me to reel in my line and he
sat me in the middle of the boat and started the engine. He
set the tiller for straight ahead then locked it in
place. We were running along parallel to the shore
to our right. Ahead in the distance the shore curved around
in front of us.
He said: "Lock your eyes on the distant shore and make sure we are
going straight ahead." I did and we were heading for a huge
pile of rocks on the approaching shore. He picked up the
small rope that was tied on the bow and said: "This little rope is like
our lives. It may seem insignificant but can effect the outcome of much
larger events. If we do nothing we will hit those
rocks." He then tied a knot in the end of the little rope and
dropped it over the left side of the boat and settled into his
seat. As he relaxed he told me: "Watch the rocks."
Slowly but distinctly the rocks began to move off to my right. The
knotted little rope dragging though the water was having an
effect. Soon we were going across the lake in the opposite
direction. My friend pulled the rope back into the
boat and stopped the engine. As he prepared to cast his line
he said: "In life we each have a little rope. We can influence for good
or for bad. Had I put the rope on the right side of the boat
we would have ran aground. If I did nothing we would have
crashed into the rocks. But I put the rope on the left side to gently
turn us to safety. Even though you might think your life is
insignificant, you have an impact on those around you. You must choose
where you throw your rope."
As Christians we always have a choice of voices to listen to.
One, we can listen to our own wisdom and do what seems right to
us. This choice seems good at the time but will run us
aground every time. Our second choice is the voice of the
devil that never stops. He lures us with lies that are
deceptively attractive. His goal is to crash us into the
rocks. The third choice is the gentle voice of God that
always leads us to safety. Where have you thrown
your little rope? (John 3:16)
Neil
