Something about the discussion in my evening Bible study class this week reminded me of the movie “Big Fish”. The lead (Ewan McGregor) was a brave character throughout his life, and in older life, enjoyed weaving tall tales as he recounted his various adventures.
When he was a young boy he went with a group of friends to the house of an old woman whom they believed was a witch. Legend had it that if one looked into her glass eye, they could see how they were going to die. When the brave boy looked, he merely said, “Hmm, so that’s how I go.”
At 18 the boy leaves his home town on his grand journey into life. He comes upon many frightening circumstances in which, at times, it seems death is certain. Yet, always at the peak of his fear, he pauses and says, “Wait a minute…this isn’t how I’m going to die!” His bravery returns, allowing him to overcome the tribulation of the moment, and he continues on his journey confident as ever.
What struck me during the evening’s discussion, was that as we go through life, we all face countless trials and tribulations; but as a Christian, I will go fearlessly forward; because even if the next tribulation costs me my life, I always know how I am going to die…I die with Jesus! And so, I march boldly onwards towards my final destination, where I will worship at the foot of His throne. Hallelujah!
My devotional from yesterday wraps this up beautifully:
“Wherever Jesus may lead us, he goes before us. If we know not where we go, we know with whom we go. With such a companion, who will dread the perils of the road? The journey may be long, but his everlasting arms will carry us to the end. The presence of Jesus is the assurance of eternal salvation, because he lives, we shall live also. We should follow Christ in simplicity and faith, because the paths in which he leads us all end in glory and immortality. It is true they may not be smooth paths—they may be covered with sharp flinty trials, but they lead to the “city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.”
Spurgeon, C. H. (2006). Morning and evening: Daily readings (Complete and unabridged; New modern edition.). Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers.