Sunlight glinted upon the stepping stones on the wide river, seeming to beckon all to walk across them, to search for the place.... beyond.
On the shoreline an old man stood quietly gazing out, troubled in himself. He had known about the other side, and over the years wondered if he could make the journey? Or more to the point, was it worth the hassle? Oh yes, he had read about the other side, but again, it meant upheaval and he liked a quiet life. He was also aged, tired, not what he'd been thirty years ago, but still with a hunger for adventure?
Although the water was deep and if he lost his balance.....disturbing thoughts, but why ponder on the negative! A new adventure, he had faith, so why not, who knew what tomorrow would bring?
After what seemed an interminable time he roused himself, if he was going to go, it had better be now. Patting his pocket, he smiled, oh yes...the old words of truth, that was good, might come in useful on his way. Searching then for a large staff to support him, he gazed back at his homestead, for the last time. Still questioning, as he had a good life here, why jeopardise it with a needless journey? Ignoring this, he shrugged his shoulders and walked boldly to the water's edge, it was his time....and took his first step of faith.
He grinned to himself as his foot felt the firm foundation under him, yes, this was going to be so easy.
Not looking back he mounted every stepping stone with pleasure and moved forward a satisfied smile over his face. He was his own man, the master of his own fate and he could do what he liked when he liked, a winner.
Determined to stride ahead quickly, he covered a distance before he realized that the sun was going down. Added to which a breeze had started up, and he was in the middle of the river, the, most dangerous place. With the river this high, he was nervous, what to do? Going back, was not an option, in fact, the situation was such that nothing humanely possible could help him. His vision had become limited and his mind played tricks on him now, alone and frightened.
Was there really a God, did he know him? With water splashing his feet, and the river too deep for his staff, he was poised for death.
Standing in the dark, a solitary figure, motionless on a raging river, he knew more about himself than at any other time in his life. His frailty, his weakness, some might say even his sin, as he considered his reckless life. Scratching around now in his pocket, he searched for the book he'd carried to give him comfort the book of truth, the bible.
Holding it close to his eyes he then read Jeremiah 33... 'Call to me and I will answer you, and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.'
As he did so, a light flickered on the shoreline and a voice cried out......I will come and rescue you, amazing!
This is a week of reflection for Christians everywhere, what do you believe, and is it really founded on the person of the Lord Jesus Christ? So often people get their jobs right, work on their relationships and build empires of Christian popularity, where Christ is nowhere to be seen. A form of Christianity, without the Lordship of Christ. Faith, must be founded on our Saviour, and as we progress to Good Friday, we must all reflect on how deep our relationship is, with the Savior who gave His life for all? We are travelling through difficult times, let us lean on the Lord Jesus to carry us through. John 14... 'Jesus said, I am the way the truth and the life, no-one comes to the Father except through me.'
Written by Hazel Pinder, author of The Promise of Heaven.
