1 Corinthians 3:9 (New International Version)
For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s
field, God’s building.
How will the black bear get to the other side of the
road? Will he use a parachute?
Nah! Bears don't have parachutes!
Will he ride a skateboard?
Nope no skateboards for the bear to use.
Will he run as fast as he can?
Nah! He would be hit by a truck!
So how WILL the black bear get to the other side of a
four-lane highway between Banff and Lake Louise?
With hundreds of thousands of tourists visiting there each
year make a 4-lane highway very necessary, but before this road could be built,
there were some tough challenges to meet. With the area being so abundant in
wildlife, a highway could end up costing the lives of numerous animals, to say
nothing about the cost in human life. Instead of attracting tourists, such a
highway might deter them from coming.
The highway could be fenced in, of course,
"animal-proofed", so to speak, but that would permanently disrupt the
migratory patterns of the animals, isolating individual creatures or small
groups from main herds. Many of these animals are already facing extinction as
it is, and splitting up herds would only hinder repopulation. What could be
done?
This was the dilemma faced by the officials of Banff
National Park. A highway needed to be built, but at what cost in animal and
human life? There seemed to be no viable solutions.
Then someone stepped out of his comfort zone to make a
radical suggestion: "Why don't we build wildlife crossings?"
As anticipated, he was met with opposition:
"That's ridiculous! How would animals find these
crossings? They can't even read!"
"Unheard of! A total waste of money! It would never
work!"
No one could come up with a better plan however, and
eventually this proposal was tentatively accepted as an experiment. Fences
built along the highway hinder the animals from crossing anywhere except by way
of these "ecopassages", which in some cases are bridges over the
road, and in some cases are tunnels under the road. The ecopassages are as
natural-looking as possible, and to the amazement of many, they actually work.
More than 50,000 wild animals safely cross the highway between Banff and Lake
Louise each year, with no loss of life, either human or animal. It doesn't make
a difference if it's a grizzly bear, a bobcat or a moose. They all find their
way to the other side of the road without endangering themselves or the
automobilists. It seems the animals welcome the ecopassages with open arms! Or
should I say they welcome them with open hooves and paws!
A radical idea becomes reality to the benefit of
millions!
It isn't easy to step out of one's comfort zone. We have
become used to our often self-imposed restraints, and it is unthinkable to make
ourselves think "outside the box"; but outside of our comfort zone is
exactly where God wants us to be! He has a great task destined for each of us,
and we can be sure it isn't something that we can easily do. If only He would
let us size the task down to something that fits within our comfort zone, we
would have no problems working to fulfill our eternal destiny. But that's not
the way it is. God-tasks are always God-sized. They are always impossible to
accomplish if we try to handle them on our own. God-tasks ALWAYS push us out of
our comfort zone.
God guaranteed His constant presence in each task. He will
supply all the necessary skills, the necessary words, the necessary miracles.
But we must depend solely upon Him.
God will never force us to fulfill our destiny, however.
He will encourage us for what lies ahead, and He won't strike us dead if we
turn our back on His vision for our life; but if we choose to do so, we will
miss out on the opportunity of really experiencing Him.
I want this year to be the year I step out of my comfort
zone, Will you follow me? Step out of your comfort zone. Discover God's plan
for your life. You will be utterly amazed, for He does have great plans for
you, great God-sized plans, and they will only become a reality when you step
out in faith and rely on Him for direction.
Dear Lord we pray that we would step out of our comfort
zone and be willing to do the things you have planned for each of us to
accomplish for Your kingdom. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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