Clouds shrouded the peak of Mt. Baker, making it pointless to drive to the end of the road in hopes of getting a glimpse of its scenic beauty. However, the park warden had told us to drive on to Nooksack Falls on the western edge of Mt. Baker Wilderness Park. There the North Fork of the Nooksack River plunges over a rock ledge, casting up a spray and mist from far below. Standing behind chain-link fences that surround this viewpoint, I was awed by the power that a normal, small river acquired as it cascaded down the face of the sheer rock wall.
More impressive, however, were the signs posted everywhere: “DANGER Slippery Rocks” and “Stay behind the barricades.” The rocks at the edge of the falls were wet and slippery. Nothing existed between them and the riverbed lying over a hundred feet below.
As I stood there watching the water crash over jagged rocks far below holding my young son’s hand firmly in my own I first felt panic, then shock upon hearing voices coming from below the edge of the cliff we were standing on! Working our way along the edge, we came to a place where we could see a young couple who had ignored the many warnings just to get a better view of the falls. Not satisfied with that view, still ignoring the danger, they moved to an even more dangerous perch on the wet rocks at the brink of the falls.
Not wanting my children to witness a potential tragedy, I took them to a different viewpoint where we could enjoy the beauty of our Lord’s creation. But for me, all was marred by thoughts of the frightful danger in which those two young people had willingly placed themselves.
What benefit, I thought, were the warning signs? Placed there for our good and protection, we were safe only as long as we obeyed them. They were useless if not heeded, for they had no power to protect any who refused their warning.
Our Lord has not left us without similar “warning signs.” The Apostle Paul wrote this warning: “Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity [love], peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Tim. 2:2222Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. (2 Timothy 2:22)). We are to flee the ever-slippery rocks of youthful lusts and follow these things with those whose lives are marked by faith in action and motivated from pure hearts. In such company, there is fellowship and safety as we view passing scenes while traveling together on the way home to the Father’s house in glory. May God preserve each from taking even one small step out onto those slippery rocks of youthful lust a step which might be the last step taken before being dashed upon the jagged rocks of moral ruin below!
K. Heslop