The Man on The Roof

V

So, the other day I was driving down the main street in Waverly, Iowa. A local business was having its roof re-shingled as part of a huge effort to beautify our downtown mainstreet. One roofer was walking on the front slant of the roof facing the street. I could see that he was wearing his safety harness. You know the ones... a thick looking belt around the waist with loops around both legs. These are used as a part of safety gear in many cases.

A few years ago I wore one of these harnesses when I ziplined in Belize. I was fitted by a professional. I was also given a fitted helmet and thick leather gloves and then taught how to position my hands to control speed and how to lift my legs as I approached a platform to remain injury free. A professional hooked me on the zip line and then hooked me on to an additional line for added safety. Now, I must admit I am not a fan of heights, but I felt safe. I was properly taught and properly fitted to go on this crazy ride above the rainforest in far away land.

So, why did seeing this roofer remind me of my time in Belize - that darn safety harness. HE WAS WEARING IT, BUT IT WASN'T HOOKED TO ANYTHING!!!!!! He had the correct equipment but he wasn't using it correctly. His safety equipment given to him by his employer would not keep him safe because he chose not to use it {or at least use it } correctly.

And, any of you who know me know that I like to relate things I see in my "regular" life to things that happen in my spiritual life. So here I go...

God has given us safety equipment!

*We have the scriptures that can teach us just about anything, including how to dish up ice cream properly. (interested in that, ask me later)... These words encourage, calm, teach and bless our lives.

*He has given us wise leaders who can lead and guide us because they have been more highly trained than us.

*He has given us the gospel - a huge safety line that helps us have faith and work on having charity. Coupled with prayer and personal revelation, we can know what we should be doing to return and live with Him. It even says in the scriptures that we received our first lessons in Heaven before we came.

*He has given us families to help us feel like we are not alone. We have children to practice on and parents to learn from.

*He has given us a Savior to cling to... To follow, to learn from, to plead to for help and succor.

 

He wants us to be safe. He wants us to return. How often do we strap on the safety harness that does us no real good if we do not hook in? How often as a youth do we ignore what our loving parents teach us because we think we know better? How often do we reach out to the world for comfort when we are hurt but do not turn to the Lord? How often do we let our scriptures sit when we are trying to solve a problem or look for direction.

 

He has given us all we need to be safe. He has taught us when and where to look. He has loved us more than we can imagine. He sent His son who has shown us the way. Today I commit to be more connected, more safe by relying on Him. I desire to return to Him safely and I know that I can because I trust Him more than any other "professional" with whom I have trusted my life!