Potholes!!!
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from
yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast.”(Eph
2:8,9)
They were everywhere. Even the best of the roads, the Trans Canada Highway that
runs from Port aux Basques to St. John’s (extreme southwestern to extreme
eastern end of Newfoundland) was full of them. But those who never strayed from
this “King of the Roads” of Newfoundland never REALLY “tasted” them! It was sad
to say, but some of the less-frequented roads that ran up and down the many
peninsulas of the province seemed to have more potholes than smooth road!
After three weeks of jostling down these pitted roads, I was getting pretty good
at dodging them: A slight turn to the right; a quick jolt to the left; straddle
the one in the middle of the road . . . But in spite of my best efforts, I
invariably dropped a wheel into a hole I either hadn’t seen or couldn’t avoid:
JOLT! What a blessing it was to come upon a newly paved section of road! I could
feel my muscles visibly relax as I went back to watching the road for less
important obstacles such as moose and caribou! Oh—and other cars, too. You truly
cannot appreciate a newly paved road until you have driven the peninsulas of
Newfoundland!
A few years ago, I spent every moment of every day dodging “potholes” in my
spiritual life. I did my best to keep the commandments and do everything that my
church told me to do, but invariably I slipped up. It seemed like the harder I
tried, the bigger “BUMP”s I fell into. The more I failed, the more frustrated I
felt, and, of course, the less worthy of Heaven. In fact, I was pretty sure that
Heaven would NOT be my ultimate destination because I just couldn’t be good
enough!
Then one day I met Jesus. I came face to face to with Him and the glorious gift
of Salvation by Grace that only He can bring. I couldn’t keep the law, for all
of MY efforts just “bounced” me into a new pothole. But Jesus could, and because
He did, I have access to eternal life through Him! Suddenly I could relax and
enjoy being a Christian. I could rest in Jesus, knowing that no matter how many
times I goofed up, I still had access to Heaven. It was like coming upon a piece
of newly paved road in Newfoundland!
Then a funny thing happened. As I got to know Jesus better, my desire to live a
God-filled life grew and grew, and I discovered that by the power of the Blood
of Jesus, what had once seemed as impossible as avoiding all of Newfoundland’s
potholes became much easier. By the power of the Blood, my addictions fell away.
By the indwelling of His Spirit, I was able to overcome anger, impatience,
self-pity, and intemperance. Now it was BETTER than Newfoundland’s newly paved
roads! I didn’t even need to be on the lookout for moose and caribou!
Are you tired of trying to avoid “potholes”, friend? Are you trying to work your
way to Heaven, hoping that if you are just “good” enough, you might make it? If
so, stop dodging potholes and step onto the newly paved highway: God’s Grace
through Jesus Christ or Lord!
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from
yourselves, it is the gift of God- not by works, so that no one can boast.”(Eph
2:8,9)
Lyn Chaffart