Early one morning back in 2002 I was cycling to work. As I passing the fish-farm in Rothiemurchus I noticed a pick-up truck parked beside the road. The occupants of which flagged me down as I passed them. They had equipment they had to deliver to the funicular railway which was under construction at the time. As soon as they spoke I could tell that they were from the Birmingham area. I explained that they were on the right and should carry on. But that did not satisfy them, they had convinced themselves that something had been missing from the instructions they had been given. I could tell that they were unfamiliar with the area and were used to a far more complicated road system in the west Midlands than exists in the Highlands. So eventually I had to tell them that the road they were on, but it was the best part of ten miles away and 2000 foot above sea level. At which point jaws dropped in unison. Finally they had got the message and I could get on my way and not be late for work. On reflection of this I felt the Lord telling me that I was just like those two Brummies with God being frustrated with me, as I was with them, refusing to keep on keeping on. When we get out of our comfort zone we are like Peter when he got out of the boat to walk on the water. he ewalked sufficiently far from the boat and the other disciples that when he got into difficulties that going back was no longer an option. It says in Matthew Ch14:v31, “Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him,” so Jesus was within reach of Peter when he began to panic. Sometimes it is when we are almost there that the fears flood in. We have to resist the temptation to return the way we came with our good undelivered, but instead persevere to the end.
David G. Rose, 2012.