Surviving Life

Discovering A Better Life
P.O Box 1540, Albany Western Australia 6331
Phone/Fax: (08) 98 418 418
E-mail: abl-alb@omninet.net.au

SURVIVING LIFE
Charles Hall blows up bombs for a living. He is part of the EOD-the Explosive Ordinance Demolition. He is paid $1,500 a week to walk the sands of post war Kuwait searching for live mines or discarded grenades. Richard Lowther, another EOD expert, has spent years blowing up some of the thousands of sea mines left over from World Wars I and II. He said, “Every time I pick up the paper and read about a new civil war I think ‘Great, as soon as it’s over I’ll be there.’ “ When you stop to think about it, you and I and those EOD experts have a lot in common: treacherous trails through explosive territories. Problems which lay partly obscured by sand. And a constant threat of losing life or limb. Most significantly, we, like the demolition team, are called to walk through a mine field which we didn’t create. Such is the case with many of life’s struggles. We didn’t create them, but we have to live with them. We didn’t make alcohol, but our highways and roads have drunk drivers. We don’t sell drugs, but our neighbourhoods have those who do. We didn’t create international tension, but we have to fear the terrorists. We didn’t train the thieves, but each of us is a potential victim of their greed. Friend, we like the EOD experts are tiptoeing through a mine field which we didn’t create. If you live on a shooting range chances are you are going to be hit by a bullet. If you live on a battlefield, more than likely, a cannon ball will land in your yard. If you walk through a dark room, you may stub your toe. If you walk through a mine field you may lose your life. The fact is, if you live in a world darkened by sin, you may be its victim. So how do we survive the battle? How do we endure the fray? Well, for those who trust him, Jesus gives three certainties. Three assurances. Three absolutes. So next time you are tossed into a river as you ride the rapids of life, remember his words of assurance in Matthew 24:13-14: Those who endure will be saved. He doesn’t say if you succeed you will be saved. He says if you endure. An accurate rendering would be, “If you hang in there until the end … if you go the distance.” The gospel will be preached. The disciples of Jesus were emboldened with the assurance that their task would be completed. And because they had a way to stand in the battle, they were victorious after the battle. They had an edge … and so do we if our trust is in Jesus. The end will come. For those who only live for this world, that’s bad news. But for those who live for the world to come, it’s an encouraging promise. Friend, you can count on it! Thanks for taking the time to read what I have shared in this column today. If you would like to write to me with your comments or questions, I’d be pleased to hear from you. Email me or write to me at P.O Box 1540, Albany W.A 6331. Telephone / Fax (08) 98 418 418

SURVIVING LIFE

Charles Hall blows up bombs for a living. He is part of the EOD-the Explosive Ordinance Demolition. He is paid $1,500 a week to walk the sands of post war Kuwait searching for live mines or discarded grenades.

Richard Lowther, another EOD expert, has spent years blowing up some of the thousands of sea mines left over from World Wars I and II. He said, “Every time I pick up the paper and read about a new civil war I think ‘Great, as soon as it’s over I’ll be there.’ “

When you stop to think about it, you and I and those EOD experts have a lot in common: treacherous trails through explosive territories. Problems which lay partly obscured by sand. And a constant threat of losing life or limb.

Most significantly, we, like the demolition team, are called to walk through a mine field which we didn’t create. Such is the case with many of life’s struggles. We didn’t create them, but we have to live with them. We didn’t make alcohol, but our highways and roads have drunk drivers. We don’t sell drugs, but our neighbourhoods have those who do. We didn’t create international tension, but we have to fear the terrorists. We didn’t train the thieves, but each of us is a potential victim of their greed.

Friend, we like the EOD experts are tiptoeing through a mine field which we didn’t create.

If you live on a shooting range chances are you are going to be hit by a bullet. If you live on a battlefield, more than likely, a cannon ball will land in your yard. If you walk through a dark room, you may stub your toe. If you walk through a mine field you may lose your life.

The fact is, if you live in a world darkened by sin, you may be its victim. So how do we survive the battle? How do we endure the fray?

Well, for those who trust him, Jesus gives three certainties. Three assurances. Three absolutes. So next time you are tossed into a river as you ride the rapids of life, remember his words of assurance in Matthew 24:13-14:

Those who endure will be saved. He doesn’t say if you succeed you will be saved. He says if you endure. An accurate rendering would be, “If you hang in there until the end … if you go the distance.” The gospel will be preached. The disciples of Jesus were emboldened with the assurance that their task would be completed. And because they had a way to stand in the battle, they were victorious after the battle. They had an edge … and so do we if our trust is in Jesus. The end will come. For those who only live for this world, that’s bad news. But for those who live for the world to come, it’s an encouraging promise.

Friend, you can count on it!

Thanks for taking the time to read what I have shared in this column today. If you would like to write to me with your comments or questions, I’d be pleased to hear from you.

Email me
or write to me at
P.O Box 1540,
Albany W.A 6331.

Telephone / Fax (08) 98 418 418