Charles Hall blows up bombs for a living. He is a part of the EOD—the Explosive Ordinance Demolition. He is paid $1,500 a week to walk the sands of post-war Kuwait searching for live mines or discarded grenades. Richard Lowther, another EOD expert, has spent years blowing up some of the thousands of sea mines left over from World Wars I and II. He said, “Every time I pick up the paper and read about a new civil war I think ‘Great, as soon as it’s over I’ll be there.’ ” You and I and these EODs have a lot in common: treacherous trails through explosive territories. Problems which lay partly obscured by the sand. A constant threat of losing life or limb. And most significant, we, like the demolition team, are called to walk through a mine field which we didn’t create. Such is the case with many of life’s struggles. We didn’t create them, but we have to live with them. We didn’t make alcohol, but our highways have drunk drivers. We don’t sell drugs, but our neighborhoods have those who do. We didn’t create international tension, but we have to fear the terrorists. We didn’t train the thieves, but each of us is a potential victim of their greed. We, like the EODs, are tiptoeing through a mine field which we didn’t create. If you live on a shooting range chances are you are going to catch a bullet. If you live on a battlefield a cannon ball will likely land in your yard. If you walk through a dark room, you may stub your toe. If you walk through a mine field you may lose your life. And if you live in a world darkened by sin, you may be its victim. How do we survive the battle? How do we endure the fray? Jesus gives three certainties. Three assurances. Three absolutes. Next time you are tossed into a river as you ride the rapids of life, remember his words of assurance in Matthew 24:13-14: 1) Those who endure will be saved. He doesn’t say if you succeed you will be saved. Or if you come out on top you will be saved. He says if you endure. An accurate rendering would be, “If you hang in there until the end … if you go the distance.” 2) The gospel will be preached. The disciples were emboldened with the assurance that their task would be completed. Because they had a way to stand in the battle, they were victorious after the battle. They had an edge … and so do we. 3) The end will come. For those who live for this world, that’s bad news. But for those who live for the world to come, it’s an encouraging promise. You can count on it. ____________________________ From And the Angels Were Silent http://maxlucado.com/store/angels/ Copyright 1992 Max Lucado