Lake Temagami in northern Ontario is a beautiful, clear lake with several long arms encompassing 2,000 miles of shoreline. For the most part it is quite deep, but the main channels are marked by red and green buoys to protect boats from venturing onto the shoals lurking just under the water. If a boater simply stays between the red and green buoys, the way is clear and safe.
A few years ago we were returning from an excursion down the lake when we saw a boat stranded on one of the shoals. The boat’s pilot had erred by going on the wrong side of the red marker, and he had destroyed the boat’s propeller on the rocks. There the boat sat, helpless.
The green marker wasn’t far away, but perhaps he just didn’t see it. It was getting dark at the time, and a storm was threatening. Maybe the pilot was in such a hurry that he became careless. I am sure he had no intention of smashing into the rocks. Most boaters know the awful racket of a boat or propeller screeching across unseen rocks. It is not pleasant and not easily forgotten.
He simply took the wrong way. He had his own idea of what was right, but the rocks were there all the same. He was sincere ... but sincerely wrong. It didn’t matter that he was a kind gentleman or that he had a clean boat; he had missed the right way and found the rocks to be unforgiving.
We approached the stranded boat guardedly, watching the depth on our sonar screen, and tossed them a rope. There were two older couples in the nice boat, and they were thankful for the tow back to the docks at the park.
There is a way marked out for us in the Bible. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me” (John 14:66Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6)). Of course, many people think they know another way, a better way. Often it is just “my” way.
Of course, you realize that “my” opinions do not really change the situation at all. “My” opinions, though very sincere, are sincerely wrong and not “The Way.” Jesus is “The Way.” No one comes to God another way. Period.
Do you know Him as your loving Saviour, your Guide, your Way, your Life? Do you love the Lord Jesus? I can say, “I know that He gave His life for me. He took my place and died for my sins.” Of course I love Him and am very glad He is also my Guide day by day through the problems of life.