On a Bumpy Path
a common North American desire
The sun beamed down on us and the light breeze kept the mosquitoes at bay. It was a perfect day for a trip to the dog park, with our Burnedoodle, Livy. She loves being off-leash, leaps and bounds about and tries to sniff every single blade of grass in the field.
My husband and I keep a slow pace around the border, our eyes mostly on our feet.
“I really wish they’d make a level pathway for us to walk on.” It wasn’t the first time I’d voiced this complaint and my husband always agreed. We are both at an age when walking on uneven ground isn’t just unpleasant, it’s a risk. The fear of falling is the result of seeing many seniors go down hill after a simple fall in a park.
But we know it’s not about to change anytime soon. The land for the dog park has been loaned to the town. A chain link fence, a receptacle for doggy doodoo, and a box of doggy poop bags at both ends are the only additions they will allow. I sighed when my husband mentioned that fact again. A level path would be so nice.
Then I snorted. What a typical North American complaint. We want life to be comfortable, always. For some, it’s their life’s goal. For most, the futile attempts to make it so are a constant frustration.
Perhaps we should all pay more attention to the scripture that says, “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart: I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Jesus said these words to his disciples just before he was arrested and crucified. He was trying to prepare them for the difficult days ahead. He also said: “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace.”
Jesus not only told them what was going to happen, He told them how to survive it, how to have peace in the midst of the trials. Note those two small but very essential words, “in me.”
It was through abiding in Christ that they would get through the many years of persecution and suffering ahead of them. Without Christ they would not have survived it, let alone accomplished the building of God’s kingdom as he charged them to do.
We too will go through difficult times and we too will only survive it by holding onto His words and abiding in Him. The ground will not always be smooth. We may fall and be hurt. But we also have these words to hang onto: “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).
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What a lovely meaningful story.