I was driving with my father yesterday, and we found ourselves behind a vehicle that had two bumper stickers. One said, “No Jesus, No Peace; Know Jesus, Know Peace.” The second said, “Semper Fi.” We reflected on the apparent paradox. Later in the day I saw a “Visualize World Peace” bumper sticker. If it were legal to put stickers on other people’s vehicles, I would love to place a bumper sticker that said, “It Is Not Going To Happen.”
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I have noticed something interesting: people who claim to not believe in God make decisions much quicker than people who do believe in God. I have also noticed that secular decisions are not exclusively bad decisions. Non-Christians make good decisions sometimes. Christians make bad decisions sometimes. Why does it take longer for Christians to make them? I think it has to do with the stigma we have attached to God’s will.
In ancient times, when boats did not have engines, navigation was less precise. When boats were propelled by several men with oars, accuracy was less relative. On the open ocean, this was less of a concern, but when coming into port, exactness suddenly mattered. Most ancient docks employed a simple strategy which we have used ever since, albeit with modification. The incoming boat would approach slowly and at the mouth of the dock, a rope would be thrown on either side of the boat to the shore. Two men would be waiting on either side of the dock and they would grab the ropes. These men would then proceed into the dock with the ropes. The boat would be gently guided into position thanks to the efforts of these men. Over time, these men eventually found themselves in smaller boats of their own; today we call them tugboats. Originally they were called forerunners.
Imagine being on the run. You are being chased by people who would kill you if they found you. You are on foot. It is through perilous canyons and scattered hills that you run. There is little vegetation to hide behind. Your mouth is dry. Your feet hurt. The road you are on does not intersect with any others. The wilderness that surrounds you is dangerous. You must stay on the road. You do not know how far behind you the pursuers are. You dare not rest for a moment. Night falls. You keep going until you cannot see. There are no lights but the stars. You have fallen repeatedly and are now forced to stop running for the night. You try to find a small cove to hide in. You feel marginally safe, but you cannot help but think that at any moment your pursuers will be upon you. Fear grips your heart. There is no way you can fall asleep. You begin to get cold. You wrap your cloak around your legs and your breathing slows. You are awaken by that cold, gripping fear. The sun has risen. Your brow is slightly damp from the perspiration of the early morning sunshine. You glance around you expecting to see your pursuers. You see and hear nothing. Without thinking twice, you jump up and begin running down the road again. After what seems like hours, you turn a bend and see up ahead a large city wall perched on a tremendous hill. It is like a mirage in your eyes. Is it real? You stop and stare at it. Can it possibly be true? Is it a civilized place among the wasteland? Your spirits rise as you begin running again. The city is getting closer. It is getting bigger. Finally you approach the city gates. You feel like dropping to your knees out of exhaustion, but you remain standing. You have reached your goal: the city of refuge.
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