Cornerstone

Numbers 14:13-19 (17)

The young man was busily installing a window air conditioner in his home. He wanted his visiting parents to be comfortable. He placed the case in the window and then carefully secured and braced it. The opening on either side of the casing was then measured, filled and chalked. Finally he was ready to place the air conditioner into the case. He maneuvered the heavy appliance into place in front of the window. Next he lifted the back of the air conditioner onto the edge of the case. Reaching down he tried to lift the front up so that he could slide it into the case. Then unexpectedly one corner of the air conditioner slipped off the case. The weight of the appliance jerked the young man off balance. Using all his strength, he awkwardly held the tilting hunk of steel in place. His mind raced. What should he do? It was then that the unpremeditated cry sprang to his lips, “DAD, come and help me quickly!”

So many times we try to work out all the details in our lives. We seem to do well for awhile. Then things go wrong. At that time we cry out, “God, help me!” What we know and yet repeatedly seem to forget is that He would come to our aid before we get into a crisis situation if we would just call upon Him.

Dr. Gayle Woods

Exodus 2:11-15 (12)

The young man walked urgently down the California street. It was clear to see that he was very serious. His voice carried a long distance down the street as he called out to any one within sight, “Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand.!”

I followed a car driven by an elderly man who seemed to be just as urgent in his witness. His message was vocally loud but it shouted out in its own way. All across the fenders, bumpers and windows could be seen various stickers urging people to prepare for the coming of the Lord, repent, and turn from various social evils.

Those who are serious about following Jesus all have their own perspective regarding what it means to be an active witness for Christ. Just as Moses who thought he was doing the right thing, however, we often hinder rather than help the process of darkness become light in the understanding of those we hope to reach. Jesus must have had us in mind when He spoke of the need for His disciples to be as “Wise as serpents and yet as harmless as doves.” Before we strike out against evil it would be well if we would see how many prospective Christians we will kill in our onslaught.

Dr. Gayle Woods