The Adventure of a Lifetime
Sometimes we take off on an unplanned spontaneous trip. It starts as just a little side road. It seems our curiosity can sometimes get the better of us. These trips can be likened to a thrill ride at an amusement park. Then, as abruptly as a theme park roller coaster, this little adventure comes to a screeching halt. As fun as it seemed at the moment, it ends with gut-wrenching regret as we hurl the contents of our empty life upon the sidewalk.
This thrill ends with a solemn vow to ourselves to never make that mistake again. Upon a closer look we notice that rickety roller coaster. The rust of a few too many rides makes us question what on earth seemed so appealing about that ride?
Come to think of it, where are all it's former riders? One look around reveals the ugly truth. There is no one. Unless you count the few surviving victims that hide in the darkness of the surrounding woods.
Then, as undeniable as a knife in the back, we see that this ride has a name. The billboard was in plain view. This roller coaster sits off to the side, proudly displaying it's name...Miss Take.
It seems that taking this unplanned little trip was indeed a MISTAKE. Now, its time to exit this little theme park. Lesson learned.
As you try to get yourself together by wiping the remains of vomit off your clothing, you run as fast as you can back to the MAIN road. This road, as you know, is a one-way street. You are so very aware of its destination. It leads to the only place you have ever really wanted to be.
This place is the real adventure that was predestined to be yours. In the dimness of night, it seems that "someone" may have caused an obstruction to your once perfect vision. This stumbling block has made tripping in the night inevitable. As you approach your car sitting at the side of the MAIN ROAD, you notice the stinging pain of a life full of wounds and abrasions. With your real adventure in such close reach you know it's not time to give up. Just a few more steps through this seemingly impossible terrain. It occurs to you that when you took this side trip the pathway seemed clear. Where did all of these briers, thorns, and rocks come from?
Even though you are almost there, you realize that many have been down this path before. Many never made it back as you start to notice the fragments of their lives are the very things you are stumbling over.
As you stumble over yet one more deep pit in this road that seems to be getting longer by the moment, you decide that maybe a little rest would do you good. Perhaps, if you just took a break, you could even find a shortcut.
As you contemplate the path before you there seems to be two options. As you squint your eyes in searching out the correct route you notice something you had missed before. Are there road signs marking the pathway? Remembering that you had carefully packed a few essentials from your car in your bag, you feel around the contents until you find your BOOK.
Many times in your life you the words from this book have shown you the way to go. The words have even cleared a way when there was no way.
Clearly one of the two paths seems shorter, but you understand somehow that the shorter path will only lead to destruction. Actually as the sign comes into focus, you realize the shorter path will only lead you right back to Miss Take. As deceptive as this path may be, you've learned a little on this adventure.
Before setting off on the other trail that will lead you to your promised destination, you decide you need a new plan. You know that this trip will fulfill all the desires of your heart, but it won't be easy. Suddenly, as if by divine providence you notice some items left at the beginning of the path to destruction. Someone had gone that ugly path before you and apparently decided their load would be too heavy. As you look through the items it becomes clear that these items will be exactly what you need. (one man's trash is another man's treasure!)
How could someone take off on a journey without being prepared? You shudder as you realize this poor guy couldn't have made it far.
You pick up his suit of armour so carelessly thrown by the side of the road.
As you begin to place the helmet on your head, you realize it fits perfectly. Suddenly as if a wave of the ocean had swept over, you feel safe. You are not about to be deceived again though. You waste little time trying on all the pieces. They are labeled, just like the helmet, SALVATION. There is TRUTH, RIGHTEOUSNESS, and PEACE. You then pick up the shield that is clearly marked FAITH. Seems that this shield has taken a few hits for the team, but it is the most sturdy shield you've ever seen. Last but certainly not least, you pick up your book. It has the letters
S-W-O-R-D across the front.
As you determine within yourself that you will persevere, you set off on the path with the road sign Abundant Life. You already know this trip isn't going to be easy. You were on this path when you were lured in the wrong direction. This time though, you are clothed in armour, your weapons are not of this world, and you determine to pray continuously for the entire trip.
As you take your first steps along this path something amazing begins to happen. The stumbling blocks seem to bow down and smooth over. They are now the very things you are walking over. They are beneath your feet. They have indeed become your stepping stones!
This story may seem to stop just at the very beginning, and it does. This is the story of a life redeemed and the best part is yet to come.
This thrill ends with a solemn vow to ourselves to never make that mistake again. Upon a closer look we notice that rickety roller coaster. The rust of a few too many rides makes us question what on earth seemed so appealing about that ride?
Come to think of it, where are all it's former riders? One look around reveals the ugly truth. There is no one. Unless you count the few surviving victims that hide in the darkness of the surrounding woods.
Then, as undeniable as a knife in the back, we see that this ride has a name. The billboard was in plain view. This roller coaster sits off to the side, proudly displaying it's name...Miss Take.
It seems that taking this unplanned little trip was indeed a MISTAKE. Now, its time to exit this little theme park. Lesson learned.
As you try to get yourself together by wiping the remains of vomit off your clothing, you run as fast as you can back to the MAIN road. This road, as you know, is a one-way street. You are so very aware of its destination. It leads to the only place you have ever really wanted to be.
This place is the real adventure that was predestined to be yours. In the dimness of night, it seems that "someone" may have caused an obstruction to your once perfect vision. This stumbling block has made tripping in the night inevitable. As you approach your car sitting at the side of the MAIN ROAD, you notice the stinging pain of a life full of wounds and abrasions. With your real adventure in such close reach you know it's not time to give up. Just a few more steps through this seemingly impossible terrain. It occurs to you that when you took this side trip the pathway seemed clear. Where did all of these briers, thorns, and rocks come from?
Even though you are almost there, you realize that many have been down this path before. Many never made it back as you start to notice the fragments of their lives are the very things you are stumbling over.
As you stumble over yet one more deep pit in this road that seems to be getting longer by the moment, you decide that maybe a little rest would do you good. Perhaps, if you just took a break, you could even find a shortcut.
As you contemplate the path before you there seems to be two options. As you squint your eyes in searching out the correct route you notice something you had missed before. Are there road signs marking the pathway? Remembering that you had carefully packed a few essentials from your car in your bag, you feel around the contents until you find your BOOK.
Many times in your life you the words from this book have shown you the way to go. The words have even cleared a way when there was no way.
Clearly one of the two paths seems shorter, but you understand somehow that the shorter path will only lead to destruction. Actually as the sign comes into focus, you realize the shorter path will only lead you right back to Miss Take. As deceptive as this path may be, you've learned a little on this adventure.
Before setting off on the other trail that will lead you to your promised destination, you decide you need a new plan. You know that this trip will fulfill all the desires of your heart, but it won't be easy. Suddenly, as if by divine providence you notice some items left at the beginning of the path to destruction. Someone had gone that ugly path before you and apparently decided their load would be too heavy. As you look through the items it becomes clear that these items will be exactly what you need. (one man's trash is another man's treasure!)
How could someone take off on a journey without being prepared? You shudder as you realize this poor guy couldn't have made it far.
You pick up his suit of armour so carelessly thrown by the side of the road.
As you begin to place the helmet on your head, you realize it fits perfectly. Suddenly as if a wave of the ocean had swept over, you feel safe. You are not about to be deceived again though. You waste little time trying on all the pieces. They are labeled, just like the helmet, SALVATION. There is TRUTH, RIGHTEOUSNESS, and PEACE. You then pick up the shield that is clearly marked FAITH. Seems that this shield has taken a few hits for the team, but it is the most sturdy shield you've ever seen. Last but certainly not least, you pick up your book. It has the letters
S-W-O-R-D across the front.
As you determine within yourself that you will persevere, you set off on the path with the road sign Abundant Life. You already know this trip isn't going to be easy. You were on this path when you were lured in the wrong direction. This time though, you are clothed in armour, your weapons are not of this world, and you determine to pray continuously for the entire trip.
As you take your first steps along this path something amazing begins to happen. The stumbling blocks seem to bow down and smooth over. They are now the very things you are walking over. They are beneath your feet. They have indeed become your stepping stones!
This story may seem to stop just at the very beginning, and it does. This is the story of a life redeemed and the best part is yet to come.
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