A desert filled with oasis. Some of the oasis have water.
Sometimes the water is good. Sometimes the water is bad. When the water is bad
it may make you sick or it may poison you and you will die. Our struggle is to
know the difference. Pools of crystal clear water that looks so inviting are
actually filled with poison. Trails are few and often vanish due to
environmental problems. Trails are often lined with the bones of the
unprepared. You need to have a good map to know where and when to go. The
desert is a changing environment and you got to know your stuff when you travel
through the desert. It is not a place for the foolhardy or the untrained.
Animals are the desert is unique. Many are poisonous. Many
have adapted and need very little or no water. Many are active only a night or
just before sunrise or just after dark.
Snakes and other reptiles abound. Many animals of the desert are found
nowhere else. Many of the plant's horde water and will only bloom after heavy
rain.
The culture we live in today is changing rapidly. The values
(roads) of 5, 10 or twenty years ago are no longer valid (useful) for a large
portion of society. The morals (climate) of today are getting worse by the
minute. The maps are becoming outdated faster than we can change them due to
poor morals. No one is really sure about anything.
The Christian stands out in modern society. The followers of
Jesus has a good map (the Bible) to follow. Based on Scripture we know where
the water holes are; and which ones are poisonous (Filled with sin). The trail
is clearly marked by the life of Jesus Christ. The Bible is full of stories
(wisdom) that give us real-life examples of people who have walked the trail
before us. The rest of the world may be foolhardy but Christians are trail wise
and have a fund of practical knowledge (older Christians) to rely on.
We are not alone on our journey because the Holy Spirit is
within us and will not forsake us in times of trouble. We may be on a trail
that is long and difficult; but we know we can make it if we will follow the
concepts and commandment that our guidebook; the Bible; provides. This world is
not our home and Heaven and eternity call to us. We will persevere. We will
triumph. We will win the race as long as we put our trust and faith in Jesus!
