Day of Praise

Mon, 06/19/17, "Day of Praise"

"The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world." - John 1:9

I think I was 11. It was my first time to Boy Scout Camp Davy Crockett. I think it was in Rogersville, TN. I'm not sure though. I was 11. And what 11 year old pays attention to where you're going or how you get there? 

I came to be really glad though that somebody paid attention to directions. 

I think his name was Mr. Caffey. He was the guy in charge of waking up all the first year campers in our troop at about 4:30 a.m. so we could get to this big field and do our sunrise observations for our Environmental Science merit badge. 

If you're observant like my 18 year old son, then you're recognizing that the timing of waking up and getting someplace before sunrise at a Boy Scout camp in the mid-'70's means that we were walking in the dark. 

Total dark. 

No flashlights. No nothin'. 

(I'm sure I remember this correctly.)

But somehow, Mr. Caffey knew the way. And, if we stayed close to him, like he told us to, then we not only got where we were supposed to go, but it was kinda fun and kinda adventurous getting there. 

This is how we're supposed to see Jesus. Everyday is a new adventure with the potential for us to wind up someplace where we have no idea how we got there to begin with. And then Jesus comes along, like Mr Caffey, and kinda jiggles us, telling us to get up and follow him to some big open field to observe birds and all sorts of critters. 

"But it's dark in this world, Jesus!," we say. "We can't see. And we have no idea how to get where you're describing."

Jesus replies, "That's good, if you stay close to me, like I'm asking you to, then we not only will get where we're supposed to go, but it will be kinda fun and kinda adventurous getting there."

In sum, whatever way you think you're heading today, Jesus wants to be the light on your path and make it far more fun and adventurous. 

All you have to do is say, "Ok, Jesus! It's dark in this world, but here I am. Jesus lead the way."

"The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world." - John 1:9

Praise God!