I took a stroll through my imagination a few days ago and have decided to invite you to go with me on a return trip. Imagine with me, if you will, a meadow filled with wild flowers surrounded by tall timber. The top of the meadow meets with the foothills of immense, snow capped mountains. Can you see it in your minds eye?
Now, look toward the bottom of the meadow where the thick woods, shrouded in darkness, converge with a barbed wire fence held taut by solid wooden posts . The fence is the key; it is the boundary that marks our choice.
If we make our way to the high meadow, we can see through a cut in the mountains...........
It reveals green valleys, swiftly flowing rivers, and animals a plenty on the other side. There are more mountains and even though you cannot see what is beyond them, you know without a doubt, the further you go the better it gets.
At the bottom of the meadow, the barbed wire fence captures your full attention and you wonder as you look around, "Why the fence?" There is no other fence anywhere else. Only in front of the thick woods, shrouded in darkness. It is right then and there that you realize what you are looking at; you are fully aware.
On one side of the barbed wire, you have beauty, freedom, and plenty. On the other side, it is darkness and you can feel that untold horror that lay in the shadows. The fence discourages you from going too far, but it does not stop you. The barbs are sharp, but if you want to get through it might hurt, however, you will easily find the other side. You will not be stopped.
You have just looked at God's grace; either accepted or rejected by you or me. How sobering to realize; it is our action that determines both how we spend our life day to day and our eternity. How thought provoking and, in my estimation, it should send us all running as fast as we can away from the barbed wire; away from the darkened woods; heading, without hesitation, directly to the high meadow and all that lays beyond. What do you think?
