I have heard some say that the Bible is not necessary, even within Christianity. This is alarming for numerous reasons, but one of the main reasons is that unlike the first century Christians, we are about 1,987 years removed from the crucifixion and resurrection. We put our faith and trust in the written revelation that God gave us through a select group of men. It is with this focus I wish to reveal how Geocaching and the Bible plays a role in finding the God of our salvation.
In Prattville, Alabama, on Cobbs Ford Rd there is a geocache and many people walk by it without even knowing. Geocaching is a GPS-based scavenger hunt for adults. Someone takes an item, buries it somewhere, lists the coordinates on a geocache website along with some navigation aids to identify the location. Should someone want to find the treasure inside a buried cache, they need to know some things. To begin with, they need to know there is a cache located somewhere with treasure inside. Second, they need to have a desire to obtain the treasure inside the buried cache, Then they need to know how to find the location, or coordinates. Lastly, they need to apply what they know about the cache (location, reason, desire, etc) and dig it up. Salvation, or more properly receiving everlasting life, is very similar. There is a geocache in the world with the treasure of everlasting life inside. This geocache is so close to everyone of us yet many people do not realize it is out there (like the cache on Cobbs Ford Rd). Some people know there is a cache buried, but they do not have the coordinates to find the treasure and therefore are applying their own opinions on where it is locating, never actually finding the cache. The Bible is our geocache database that lists the exact location on where the treasure of eternal life is found. The exact coordinates are identified by the letters J-E-S-U-S. But it is not enough to know the cache exists. Nor is it enough to know where the cache is located. You must want the cache, know where it is located, and then you have to apply what you found so as to be able to uncover this treasure. The Bible's coordinates point to Jesus and he is the only way to everlasting life. We must acknowledge who he is, who we are, why we need his penal substitionary death for us, and freely accept the gift he is offering. Only by admitting our need for him to cleanse us from all unrighteousness and accepting his sacrifice for our life, will we ever find the great cache in the entire universe. I pray you find this cache that you may have walked by many times without realizing.
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Famed evangelist D.L. Moody is quoted as saying "out of 100 people, 1 person will read the Bible and 99 people will read the Christian." If this is accurate, we would do well to be active in reflecting the light of Christ in our lives. This would be through simply showing people we care, actively getting involved in service or ministry opportunities. Why are so few people drawn to Christ? Is it possible that it is because us Christians are doing a poor job in showing the world what Christ looks like? Realize, there will be times when our reflection of love is misunderstood or misinterpreted...do not allow Satan to use this to keep you down; keep loving and trust God for the outcome.
When I came across the below poem, it was very influential. This goes to show that we all have people in our realm of influence that watch us, and that we can influence people by not even saying anything, but rather them simply watching our actions. This form of passive influence is very strong for by it people can determine the motivation of action...when one is being true to themselves and believes no one is looking. It is an unfortunate truth that many people have left the church, faith, and God, because we have sometimes failed at this. I pray God uses this poem in your life today to show how we are able to influence people around us passively. "WHEN YOU THOUGHT I WASN'T LOOKING: When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one. When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals. When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favorite e cake for me, and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life. When you thought I wasn't looking, I heard you say a prayer, and I knew there is a God I could always talk to and I learned to trust in God. When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other. When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing, and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't. When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have to take care of what we are given. When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good, and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up. When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry. When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw that you cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be. When you thought I wasn't looking, I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up. When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and wanted to say, "Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking." - Author Anonymous |
Daniel WeierbachA graduate from Liberty University, with a MA in Theological Studies, Daniel and his wife Rebecca has been married for over 17 years, and together they have two children. He has authored Investigating Lordship Salvation. Archives |