Be Careful and Be Saved
Next time you consider going for a ride in your car or pickup, you might want to think about something different. I remember reading somewhere that automobiles are responsible for 20 percent of all fatal accidents.
And you probably don’t want to stay home either; it’s been reported that 26% of all accidents occur within five miles of home. That statistic has caused many a family to up and move.
The doctor has told me I should get out and walk, but I don’t know… 14% of all accidents happen to pedestrians. And air, rail, and water are reported to cause up to 16% of accidents. These statistics, while not completely accurate, are something to think about.
But I bring you some good news! It is believed that only .013% of all accidents occur during church meetings. And most of those are due to non-related medical disorders. So if that holds true, then shouldn’t we just stay at church and worship and serve the Lord?
Now, it is possible that it could be just a little higher around cowboy churches and certain redneck churches. But I looked and I couldn’t find any statistics for accidents of any kind while riding a horse or a super modified tractor or truck during a worship service. There is a slightly higher than average accident rate in church services involving venomous snakes. Who would of thunk it?
David writes in Psalms 4:8, In peace I will both lie down and sleep, for You alone, O LORD, make me to dwell in safety. (nasb) That good stuff!
I have previously mentioned having worked around buffalo. I know that I prayed for the whole crew of us every time we went inside the buffalo pens. I remember thinkin’, “I don’t care what buffalo meat taste like or how lean it is, bein’ a buffalaro can get you hurt!” And that is especially notable when you have a ton of bull bison running right at you! (Accurate statement!)
Then, there’s a story of a monastery in Portugal, perched high on a 3,000 feet cliff and accessible only by a terrifying ride in a swaying basket. The basket was pulled with a single rope by several strong men, perspiring under the strain of the fully loaded basket. One American tourist who visited the site got nervous halfway up the cliff when he noticed that the rope was old and frayed. Hoping to lessen his fear he asked, ‘How often do you replace the rope?’ The monk in charge replied, ‘Whenever it breaks!’” (That give a whole new meaning to the word “recall” huh!)
Often times, we start something and we’re not worried about safety or whether it is right or wrong, we just want to do it. Like the basket, there’s no turning back. And then we see the frayed rope! Have you ever noticed that it seems like almost everything we do in life has some kind of a frayed rope attached to it? It makes me think about the characters from the Apple Dumpling Gang movie wanting to be hung with a new rope.
I reckon if something else don’t get us first, that we’ll eventually die of old age. So, please, just place your trust in Jesus! The rope He carries will never fray, He’ll never drop you. All this world has to offer will not keep you safe. Only Jesus can deliver you safely to the Father.
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him." (John 3:16-17 nasb)
Others will let you down. Family will let you down. Friends will let you down. I will let you down. No, we don’t mean to, but I’ve got a news flash: we’re not perfect. Romans 3:23 tells us that we all sin and fall short of God’s glory. There’s One that can change our outcome—trust in the rope Jesus throws. He will pull you to safety. Seek Him. Know Him. His Word is solid.
Choose Jesus, choose life and let your light shine! And find a Bible believin’ church where you “fit in” and know, grow, and follow Christ! Tell others! See y’all at church and keep PRAYIN’ for HIS HARVEST! Pray for the rain! Amen