In Hosea 14:9, we read: “Who is wise? Let him understand these things. Who is prudent? Let him know them. For the ways of the Lord are right; The righteous walk in them, But transgressors stumble in them.”
“Hold your paddle like this,” Grandfather instructed. “One hand on the grip, the other on the shaft. Comfortable?” Timmy nodded. "You need a good fit or you’ll get tired pretty quick.”
Instruction time over, they headed for the dock. Grandfather held the canoe steady for Timmy to get in.
“Careful, son. Hold onto the gunwales and move down the center to the bow. That’ll keep the canoe from tipping.”
Timmy nodded, holding tight when Grandfather’s additional weight caused the canoe to rock. “Here we go.”Grandfather smiled, pushed off from the dock.
The canoe glided over the water. Until Timmy decided he needed to help. He paddled on the port (left side) of the canoe and leaned over too far.
“Hold on, Timmy. You’re going one way, I’m going the other. We must work together to get a smooth ride or we’ll be going in circles--going nowhere.”
“But I’m using the paddle you gave me and trying hard.”
Grandfather chuckled.“I know you are. But there’s a right way to paddle or we’ll end up in the water. Allow me to paddle from the stern. You rest your arms and enjoy the ride.”
I thought for many years that to be wise, I had to follow certain guidelines. Guidelines set by the world, the “do what is right, especially if it benefits me,” which emblazons our society. No fulfillment came as a result of this philosophy. In fact, I became disillusioned and depressed.
Then the Lord Jesus knocked on the door of my life, waiting for me to see that He is the One who is Wise and Righteous. When I accepted Him as my Lord and Savior, He took over at the stern of my canoe, allowing me to enjoy the ride. He loves me and will never leave nor forsake me--even when I rock the canoe. He teaches me His ways to keep me from stumbling.
Kingdom Thinking. The Lord Jesus stands at the door of your heart. He loves you with an everlasting love. He promises never to leave nor forsake you. He is waiting. Won’t you invite Him in?
Instruction time over, they headed for the dock. Grandfather held the canoe steady for Timmy to get in.“Careful, son. Hold onto the gunwales and move down the center to the bow. That’ll keep the canoe from tipping.”
Timmy nodded, holding tight when Grandfather’s additional weight caused the canoe to rock. “Here we go.”Grandfather smiled, pushed off from the dock.
The canoe glided over the water. Until Timmy decided he needed to help. He paddled on the port (left side) of the canoe and leaned over too far.
“Hold on, Timmy. You’re going one way, I’m going the other. We must work together to get a smooth ride or we’ll be going in circles--going nowhere.”
“But I’m using the paddle you gave me and trying hard.”
Grandfather chuckled.“I know you are. But there’s a right way to paddle or we’ll end up in the water. Allow me to paddle from the stern. You rest your arms and enjoy the ride.”
I thought for many years that to be wise, I had to follow certain guidelines. Guidelines set by the world, the “do what is right, especially if it benefits me,” which emblazons our society. No fulfillment came as a result of this philosophy. In fact, I became disillusioned and depressed.
Then the Lord Jesus knocked on the door of my life, waiting for me to see that He is the One who is Wise and Righteous. When I accepted Him as my Lord and Savior, He took over at the stern of my canoe, allowing me to enjoy the ride. He loves me and will never leave nor forsake me--even when I rock the canoe. He teaches me His ways to keep me from stumbling.
Kingdom Thinking. The Lord Jesus stands at the door of your heart. He loves you with an everlasting love. He promises never to leave nor forsake you. He is waiting. Won’t you invite Him in?