Not Enough Bandaids

Dr. Tom Malone, founder and former pastor of the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Pontiac, Michigan told a story from his boyhood. He grew up in a rural community, and would often find himself in the woods and fields playing with his friends. There was, somewhere near his home, a deep ravine filled with blackberry bushes. It was a test of manhood for boys to run and jump that ravine. He, being the youngest of his group, was one day dared and goaded into jumping that ravine. He had never tried, and wasn't sure he could, but he couldn't resist the power of the double dog dare. And so he tore off across the field toward that ravine, legs pistoning, arms pumping, eyes bulging - determined with all his being to clear the distance.

But then something happened. Bro. Malone said a little doubt began to creep in as he hurtled toward the precipice. He began to think he shouldn't do it, and so he wavered between running full speed ahead, and turning back. He hestitated. And he ended up in the bottom of the ravine. His story ended with him saying that there were not enough bandaids in all of the state to cover the cuts on his young body.

Several times in our Bibles, Jesus warned of just such a mindset. He warned that the end is coming, and we need to be ready. Don't look back - don't hesitate, or you will be lost, He said. Don't hesitate, but rather follow Him wholeheartedly. Meditate on these verses today and consider what they mean to you.

Remember Lot's wife. (Luke 17:32)

And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God. (Luke 9:62)

Are you hesitating to serve Him faithfully in your local church? Why? Such hesitation not only lands you in the blackberries of life, but it also cuts your brothers and sisters in Christ, who need your faithful influence in their lives. Christians are taught to "... look out not only for your own interests, but also for the interests of others." (Phil. 2:4)

Or perhaps you are hesitating in trusting Christ? There won't be enough bandaids to help you if you die lost.