A bird flew
into a factory and landed on a conveyor belt. The belt took him upwards on an
incline. He looked very relaxed and
secure. He was content just to remain poised and enjoy the ride. What he did
not realize was the danger that awaited him at the top. The belt would soon
spill him out into an opening. At the bottom of this opening were very powerful
grinder gears designed to crush and destroy. Unfortunately for this bird, he
did not acknowledge the danger until it was too late.
The bible is
filled with warnings about our own destiny. Jesus taught, “Enter by the narrow
gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and
there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the
way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14)
The broad path
is far easier to be on. If fact, it requires nothing of us. If we are not on
the narrow path, then we are on the broad path by default. Because it is so
easy, many do not question the path, nor do they consider where it leads. They
are much like the bird on the conveyor belt. They are comfortable with where
they are, and they firmly believe that in the end all will be as right as rain.
Therefore, Jesus warns us to be mindful of our destiny.
The Israelites
had a real problem with foresight which resulted in Babylonian captivity. The
bible records, “Her uncleanness is in her skirts; she did not consider her
destiny; therefore, her collapse was awesome; she had no comforter. ‘O Lord,
behold my affliction, for the enemy is exalted!’” (Lamentations 1:9)
Long before
they went into captivity, the Lord sent prophets to His people, warning them to
repent before destruction comes. However, “they mocked the messengers of God,
despised His words, and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the Lord
arose against His people, till there was no remedy.” (2 Chronicles 36:16)
The question
is, “What about us?” God’s warnings are clearly made in the bible. It is a
matter of going beyond the boundaries of our comfort zone and acknowledging the
pending danger that lurks ahead. Will we remain confident and secure riding
that conveyor belt to the top? Or will we recognize the danger and spread our
wings and fly away to safety while we still can? The choice is ours and ours
alone. Only we can take the time to consider our own destiny.
God Bless each
of you,
Eric Hicks
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