My husband receives all those magazines that I just seem to set aside. You know, like, Field and Stream. But this morning I picked it up and it caught my attention. On the cover was a picture of a real mountain man. You know, there are times I think my husband might be that mountain man in disguise. If there was ever a show he would excel on would be Survivor! The man simply has more knowledge about the outdoors than humanly possible. Now me, I would never make it on Survivor. Please! This girl HATES to sweat! You have animals, bugs, nasty food, if there is any, and all that running in those little skimpy suits!But, all this got me thinking about what you would need in a survival kit. Well, you would need a compass, water, food, and would need tools to make a shelter. All of those items are very important for survival anywhere, right? You have those who hike and get lost in the wilderness. Those who trek up large mountains and get snowed in. And we see those who have been abandoned on a lost island. Now, unlike the movies where a beautiful woman comes to save your life, or in my case a handsome man running across the sand to save me(maybe we should stop right there.lol) In any case when we are in despair we are needing someone to come along and see our S.O.S sign. There are times we don't even have to be up a mountain, down a creek or on an island to have one of those. Sometimes in our everyday life it is just written on our faces. I am blessed to have those special people in my life who know how to read my face, know me well enough to know when I am about to sink in the quick sand before me.
Now, lets go back to that compass. A compass leads the way, points north, and keeps us on track. We need a compass in our life. One to point the way for us, to lead us through this life so we know exactly where we are and just where we are going. When we carry a compass we must trust it, put our faith in it and believe it is going to get us to where we need to be. Jesus Christ is our Forever North. He is that compass that will lead us, guide us, and walk with us through those deserts, valleys, and over those mountain tops. We can trust in Him, believe in Him, and have faith that He will never let us down.
Lets see, water. Yes, we must have water to live. We can only survive so long without water. When we are thirsty we search for something to quench our thirst. There are times we can look in the wrong places for the water needed to quench that thirst that seems to be taking over our thoughts and actions. There is contaminated water, that water in which makes us sick to drink, that water that will set us on a course of disaster. We must seek out the water that will bring life, not death. We need to seek the living water in which we will never find ourselves in thirst again. Jesus Christ is that Living Water for us. He will quench our thirst, filling us with all we need for the trek before us. In His water we will find life, abundant life, crystal clear, refreshing water for our soul.
Now, we also need food, right? But what kind of food? We need food that will provide nourishment, that will give us all the nutrients we need. Food that will not leave us hungry and wanting more, but food that will fill us, giving us needed energy, the boost to move forward, and food that will provide growth and stamina. God's word is food for our soul. God's word will provide us with growth, with all that is needed to make those long hikes into the unknown wilderness. It will give us the needed benefits of wisdom to know which trees we should cling to and steer away from. It will show us the fruit that is good for us to eat of, and the fruit in which we should never touch.
Along with all of these tools we also would need to find shelter. A shelter in which we can find peace and rest. A shelter not built on the sand, but one built on solid ground that is lasting and true. One that will protect us from the elements of the storm. One that will keep the rains and wind from us. One that is higher than the tide, and for our shelter we could not find one more lasting than Jesus Christ. His shelter is like no other. His shelter keeps us from harm, gives protection, and provides us with safety from all. Within His shelter we will find all we need through the darkness of the night and in the heat of the day.
When we pack that survival kit we need to make sure we pack those things which are lasting and meaningful. Those things that will endure the trek. We need to pack His love, His grace, His strength, His comfort, His wisdom, His knowledge, and His word. When we have His word we can find Him. When we have Him, we have all we need for our journey, no matter where we are headed. Trust in Him and He will lead the way.
Oh, and that S.O.S sign? Well, Jesus knows us better than anyone else. He can not only read our face, but our heart. He knows when we are in need and when we are lost in our journey. All we must do is call out to Him. Say His name and He will come running with all you need to make it through, to see through the fog, and He will give the needed equipment to get out of the tunnel, that hole we have fallen into. He will show us the way by shining a light before us, wrapping His arms around us, and even carrying us on those paths that are just too hard to bare. Know Him today. Believe in Him for tomorrow, and trust in Him for forever!
John 4:13-14 "Jesus replied, Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life."
Matthew 6:31-34 "So don't worry about these things, saying, what will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear? These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need."
Psalm 43:3 "Send out Your light and Your truth; Let them guide me. Let them lead me to Your holy mountain, to the place where You live."
Psalm 9:9 "The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble."
Psalm 18:30-32 "God's way is perfect. All the Lord's promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to Him for protection. For who is God except the Lord? Who but our God is a solid rock? God arms me with strength, and He makes my way perfect."
