I read the following story in my "Thinking Like A Christian: Understanding and Living a Biblical Worldview Student Journal", for my Worldviews Class. I thought it was a really good allegory and I wanted to share it with others.
"Sometimes in the evening as the sun was starting to set, I would stroll out to the barn to check on the horses and enjoy the beauty of the sunset as it sprayed a golden glow across the wheat fields.
One evening as I was leaning against the barn admiring the magnificent sunset, I looked down and noticed an anthill. I began to study the ants as they scurried around the ground in front of me. As I watched, one little ant crawled up onto my boot, ran across the toe and off the other side. I thought to myself, 'What a bold little fellow.' He didn't even seem to realize that a being superior to himself existed.
Later on that summer, the weather got very hot and the fields became very dry. One afternoon, a thunderstorm hit our area. It came with lots of lightening but little rain. Suddenly, a streak of lightening hit the barn and within seconds there was a raging fire. I hurried to get the animals out of the barn before it was too late. As I rounded the barn, I noticed the anthill and all the ants in their usual busy-ness. I thought, I hate to see those little guys fry in this fire, but there was no way I could tell them of the impending danger to their home. If there was only some way I could communicate to those creatures, but the only way that would happen would be for me to become one of them. Then I could communicate to them in "ant" language."
What is the message of this story?
What do you think?
Aren't we the ants? Always running around and sometimes so busy with little things that we forget to look at the big picture. Don't we sometimes throw things out of perspective, forgetting that God is watching us and has a purpose and a reason for everything that comes into our life.
God found a way to save His little ants from the fire that wold consume them. He sent His one and only Son. He knew that death and eternal life in hell is our punishment for sin.
God is a holy and just God. He can not tolerate sin because of His holiness. He loves us so much, but as He is holy and just, He can not let sin go unpunished. His character demands a punishment for sin. He knew the only way to save us from punishment of death and eternal life in hell, was to send a spotless lamb, a sacrifice without blemish, a sinless being, that would give His life to save the lives of others. He sent His Son to take the sin of the world upon His shoulders, to take the blame for all our sin. God sent His Son as a messenger that could speak our language, to warn and save us from the coming fire. His Son was Jesus Christ.
God loves us so much that He sent His Son, "His only begotten Son." Can you imagine the pain it gave God, to allow His Son to die upon the cross? To not help and save Him from the pain it caused Him? In fact, when His Son took the sins of the world, our sins, upon His shoulders, God turned His face away. God's "just-ness" requires a payment for sin. That payment is eternal death. Yet He loved us so much, despite our sinful, rebellious and disobedient natures, that He still wanted to create a way to give us eternal LIFE!
He sent His Son to warn us of the coming eternal fire.
As Christians, we are Christ's ambassadors. What kind of ambassadors are we? Are we warning others of the coming fire? We can speak the language of the other "ants", after all, we are one. Are we using that ability? Are we thankful and humbled for the love and grace God has given us through the gift of salvation? Do I realize what He did? I may be willing to give my life for Christ, but am I willing to give those I love most to Christ? He did. He has given us the gift of eternal life. Are we sharing His gift with others? Are we excited to tell others of this free and incredibly loving gift He has given us?
I am ashamed to say, that I am not always eager to say things that might make me look different or odd, and yet what could be more odd than giving the life of your child to save the lives of others? I think I will look more "odd" when Judgment Day comes and those people I didn't talk to, look at me with hurt and questions in their eyes. I would rather look odd here on earth then have to look those same people in the eye in heaven and say "I didn't want to look odd."
The fire that is coming is more horrible than we can imagine. Are we telling others that it is coming? Are we telling them of the hope and salvation that is found in Jesus? He is the only way.
Am I actively preparing myself to give an answer for the hope that is in me?
1 Peter 3:15 "But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,"
I know I was convicted when I read the above story. I need to be more active in sharing the gospel with others. I am not bold, but as the following verses say:
Philippians 4:13 "I can do all things through him who strengthens me."
2 Corinthians 12:9 "But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me."
1 Timothy 1:12 "I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service.
Sometimes I forget that a price has been paid for my sin. Sometimes I get caught up in my day to day activities and forget that God is watching me, waiting for me to look up and remember that I am here to serve Him and to let others know of His free gift. Living at all times with that thought in mind and allowing it to control my actions and words.
He gave His Son, that we might live eternally with Him! I can't think of a more powerful or meaningful love than that!
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