Luke 16:10a - He that is
faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much. (KJV)
Luke 19:17 - And he said unto him, Well, thou good
servant: because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority
over ten cities. (KJV)
By now, most of the North American continent, if not
the world, knows of the finding and rescue of Rita Chretien of Penticton,
British Columbia, Canada. This extraordinary woman survived for 49 days from
March 19th to May 6th, stuck in a van off a logging road in the vast backwoods
of Nevada, USA, living each day on only a bit of trail mix, a hard candy, fish
oil pills, and water that she melted from snow or collected from a stream.
She and her husband had set out for a trade show in
Las Vegas and took what they thought was a shortcut, on which their van
eventually became stuck. After three days, her husband set out for help.
Tragically, he has not ever been found.
During her ordeal, it is reported that she wrote in
her journal, and read books and her Bible every day.
How many among us believe that we are capable of
keeping true to this deep faith, this strict self-discipline ... especially
where food rationing is concerned, for those of us who constantly fight the
battle of the bulge because we revert back to our old ways?
I am reminded of my father who, as a trapper in
northeastern British Columbia back in the 1930s, survived six winter months in
pain and alone, except for his dog, in a rugged trapper's cabin, with both feet
severely frostbitten to the point that he was afraid that he would lose some
toes. Toward the end of his ordeal, he was burning what little furniture there
was for fuel. He, too, possessed a quiet determination and a strong faith. When
he emerged in the spring, feet finally healed enough to walk out, the first
person he met said that he thought that my dad had died because no one had seen
him in so long.
There is a saying, "If God takes you to it, He will
take you through it." My constant wonder is whether I would have what it takes
to rely that deeply on my faith and have the self-discipline to ration my
supplies. Such a question can only be answered for sure if we are put in a
similar situation. However, continuing to work on strengthening our faith
through prayer, reading and listening to the Word of God, resisting temptation
in whatever form, and most of all, striving to live a thankful,
positive-thinking, Spirit-driven life is definitely the path to take.
Prayer: O God of all, may we continue to strengthen
our faith in Your presence in our lives and in the ability You have given each
of us to believe also in ourselves. In Your name, we pray and give thanks for
each day. Amen.
Mary Daniel
marydee@shaw.ca
Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada
Thanks to http://daily.presbycan.ca
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