Could We Do It?
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