One day I stood on the bank of the Jordan River to watch the people entering little boats to cross into the Promised Land.

The Jordan River

The Jordan River (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

A strong, athletic woman got into a boat and starting rowing across the Jordan River at the time of the spring floods. The current was strong and she paddled hard to make her way across. But in her labour she did not pay any attention to the motor which was attached to her little craft. Despite her great effort the boat never reached the shore. The current washed her in her boat all the way down to the Dead Sea.

Another boat sat ready, and into it climbed a man. He pushed off from shore, and sat and watched the birds and the clouds as his tiny craft drifted down, not across, the Jordan River. Claiming not to be mechanically inclined he refused to use the attached motor and ended up in the Dead Sea.

Into a third boat climbed a teenager. Before rushing out into the River the teen noticed, and read, a traveller’s manual that lay on the seat of the tiny craft. Following the instruction manual the teenager turned, started the motor and headed straight towards the opposite shore. The boat arrived safely on the other side. There the Owner of the boat greeted the teenager with a loving smile.

 

What the Bible says:
About the woman
“You won’t {succeed} by might or by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of Armies” Zechariah 4:6b God’s Word).

About the man
“The kingdom of heaven is like a man going on a trip. He called his servants and entrusted some money to them… Each was given money based on his ability…Then the one who received two thousand dollars came and said, ‘Sir, I knew that you are a hard person to please…I was afraid. So I hid your two thousand dollars in the ground. Here’s your money!’
His master responded, ‘You evil and lazy servant!…you should have invested my money with the bankers. When I returned, I would have received my money back with interest…Throw this useless servant outside into the darkness. People will cry and be in extreme pain there.’ ” (Matthew 25:14-30 God’s Word).

About the teenager
“How can a young person keep his life pure? {He can do it} by holding on to your word” (Psalm 119:9 God’s Word).