"For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of
discipline are the way to life.." -Proverbs 6:23
A young man went out from his back yard at night in hope of finding worms for
the following day's fishing trip. He had lived in this area for many years, and
seemed to know every nook and cranny, so saw no need to take a flashlight with
him. "The light of the moon was good enough for my grand-pappy, so its good
enough for me!" He thought to himself as he treaded down the long and narrow
cobblestone path which lead from his yard and in to the grassy field behind his
home.
Sure enough, an hour went by and the young man indeed found his fill of night
crawlers, knowing just were this and that rock or stump was located to look
under. He'd lift the rock, and as soon as he saw that familiar wriggle, he'd
quickly snatch the worm for its next mornings duties.
Just as the young man decided it was time to return, he spied a large log. "Just
one more," he thought.
As usual, he pushed the moss-covered log over with his boot, and upon seeing
that familiar wriggle, plunged his hand down... only to let out a shrill scream!
What he grasped was not a night crawler, but a small snake! He had been bit!
As he could not see what type of snake it was, the young man dropped his jar of
worms, and ran like a mad-man out of the field, tripping and falling along the
way.
Real Life Application: Chances are, if this young man had brought a flashlight
with him he would have been able to see the danger ahead.
Most of us don't intend bad things to happen, but they can, and do, especially
when we are unprepared and approach certain matters unwisely. We may think we
have everything under complete control, and fully understand the consequences to
our words and actions, but do we?
As the above Bible verse implies, God gave us His word to provide us with
wisdom; to act as a light in a world of darkness. Just as it is unwise, even
dangerous, to walk at night without a suitable light source, so too, should we
invite and allow God's illumination to guide and protect us throughout our life.
Melanie Schurr (Copyright (c)2005 Melanie Schurr) Melanie Schurr is author of
"Ecstatic Living: A Christian marriage manual and Life-guide", "Son Salutations"
and "Daily Contemplations", a collection of read-one-a-day modern inspirations.
For more information, visit
http://www.melanieschurr.com
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