"The story is told of a man on an African safari deep in the jungle."

A thought by Max Lucado, from his book, Begin Again (p. 9). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. (Click on the book title to go to Amazon to buy the book.)

Max says, "The guide ahead of him had a machete and was whacking away the tall weeds and thick underbrush. The traveler, weary and hot, asked in frustration, 'Where are we? Do you know where you are taking me? Where is the path?' The seasoned guide stopped and looked back at the man and replied, 'I am the path.'"

Max goes on, "We ask the same questions, don’t we? We ask God, 'Where are you taking me? Where is the path?' And he, like the guide, doesn’t tell us. Oh, he may give us a hint or two, but that’s all. If he did, would we understand? Would we comprehend our location? No, like the traveler, we are unacquainted with this jungle. So rather than give us an answer, Jesus gives us a far greater gift. He gives us himself.

"Does he remove the jungle? No, the vegetation is still thick.

"Does he purge the predators? No, danger still lurks."

Max continues"Jesus doesn’t give hope by changing the jungle; he restores our hope by giving us himself. And he has promised to stay until the very end. 'I am with you always, to the very end of the age' (Matt. 28:20).

"We need that reminder. We all need that reminder. For all of us need hope.

He then says, "And though you don’t need your hope restored today, you may tomorrow. And you need to know to whom to turn.

"Or perhaps you do need hope today. You know you were not made for this place. You know you are not equipped. You want someone to lead you out.

"If so, put your trust in the Shepherd. He knows the path that leads to your new beginning. And he’s just waiting for you to join him.

So would you do that? Would you do it now?

Yes, yes!

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