Alan had never been skiing before. Some of the teachers at his school had planned a special skiing trip for the children in the fifth grade. There was much excitement as everyone arrived at the ski resort and saw all the big snow-covered hills.
Before any of the children were able to go out onto the ski slope, they had to listen to the instructions about what they were supposed to do and where they could go after they had gotten their skis and poles. Once they were outside, they were given basic lessons on how to go down the hill and keep their balance on the skis and even be able to turn. A tow rope ran continuously to pull the children back up to the top of the small hill as they practiced what they had learned.
Because of the danger of inexperienced skiers being on the steeper slopes and in the way of the faster, more experienced skiers, the school children were given definite boundaries they could not go beyond.
It was a beautiful day, and the children were having so much fun, even when they sometimes took a tumble onto the snowy ground. Alan and his friend Alex caught on fast and could easily ski down the hill without falling. They quickly were ready for the next hill that was a little harder, and they did quite well on that one too.
Alan and Alex were feeling quite sure of their ability to ski. They saw no danger in going to a steeper slope, even though it was beyond the boundary of where they were allowed to go. They needed a reminder of what the Bible says: “Children, obey your parents [and teachers] in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord” (Colossians 3:20). With so many people skiing on the hills, the teachers and other grown-ups were busy helping some of the children learn the basics of skiing. No one seemed to notice that these two boys were now out of bounds.
To disobey can be a very serious thing, and it can get us into a lot of trouble. Just like there were instructions for the students, the Word of God, the Bible, has instructions for us to avoid danger, if we will simply obey. It is good to learn to obey your parents, teachers and others in authority while you are young.
The snow was packed down on the steeper slope, and the boys were going down the slope quite fast. They were having so much fun and were feeling quite pleased with their ability to ski so well. Then, near the bottom of the hill, Alan hit a bump that made him lose control of his skis. He crashed to the ground and hit his head on a patch of ice. His world went black, and he lay unconscious on the slope.
No teachers were there to help, because that was the area where children were not allowed to go. A ski patrol person who worked there saw Alan on the ground and got him to the First Aid room at the ski lodge. When Alan woke up, he didn’t even remember he had gone skiing that day. His face was scraped and bruised, and the doctor who saw him said he would need to go to the hospital for more tests.
Disobedience can bring sad results that we may regret for a long time. Thankfully, Alan was going to be okay, but the bad headache he had, along with scrapes and bruises on his face, were a sad reminder of his sin of disobeying. When he fell on the icy ski slope, he learned a hard lesson and one that he will never forget.
We are happy to tell you that Alan soon recovered. And even more good news is that he accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his very own Saviour. He obeyed the Word of God, which says, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31). “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37).
What about you? Have you obeyed the Word of God?
MEMORY VERSE: “Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.” Colossians 3:20
ML-04/19/2015