One of my favorite oft quoted not-really-a-joke goes something like this. A man is in his house when the rain starts pouring down. Soon, a flood starts rising. Someone comes to his door and says, “Come with us, we will save you.”
The man waves the do-gooders away and proclaims, “God will save me.”
The waters fill his basement and he retreats to the second floor. Another group comes by in a boat and hollers for him to open the window. “Come with us, we will save you.”
The man waves the rescuers away and proclaims, “God will save me.”
The water is relentless and he climbs onto the roof of his house. A helicopter hovers overhead and the pilot communicates to him, “Come with us, we will save you.”
But once more the man waves the group away and says, “God will save me.”
The water covers his house and the man dies. He meets God and is a little surprised as he falls down at the Lord’s feet. “I don’t understand,” the man weeps, “I had faith you would save me.”
The Lord looks at the devoted follower and replies, “I tried! I attempted to save you three times but you refused to go with my helpers.”
Ba-dum-dump.
I told you it wasn’t funny but it sticks with me as a lesson. Basically, don’t ask a question in a prayer and assume I’ll know how the answer will come. It will probably come in a manner I don’t expect. My task is to learn to recognize God’s answers.
by Elder Brook P. Hales
ck's days 