| There was a group of people that lived in a small town. They heard of an
orchard that grew the best fruit in the country. The fruit was the purest white
and sweet to the taste. In the center of the orchard was a beautiful fountain with
water that was crystal clear. The more they heard of the orchard, the more they
desired to partake of the fruit and drink of the waters. They could eat and drink
all they wanted when they arrived.
They decided that very day to set out for the orchard. The people agreed to bring along their friends and families so all could enjoy the fruit and rest under its branches. Everyone is allowed to partake of the fruit if they make it all of the way to the orchard. The people needed to follow a small narrow country road with a railing on the side. The railing was to protect them in the dark and foggy areas of the road ahead. If they held tight, they would not be lost. The group also had to watch out for, and warn each other of any dangers along their way. There was no map. They must stay on the road, hold the railing and not waver from their goal of the orchard that they could see in the far distance. Along the road there was a river running. The river seemed to be clear and slow moving. Some were tempted to go to the bank for a drink. They didn't want to wait until they reached the fountain in the orchard. When they reached the bank of the river, they found it muddy and so wadded out a little further to the clear water that could be seen a short way off. Those that made it out to the middle realized that the entire river was muddy. It had reflected the sky making it look blue. The water was also running faster than they thought in the middle. These people were soon grabbed by the current and dragged under while those listening to the pleading of their friends on the road to return, made it back. The travelers then arrived at the fountain that fed the river. People must have stopped along the way and thrown coins in for they were sparkling in the bottom. A few people stopped to look at the fountain and sparkling coins in the sun. They let go of the railing and left the road to rest on the edge of the fountain. Some thought that no one would miss a few coins that could be used along the journey, and so, bent over to pick up the coins. The coins were further away than they thought and in reaching, they fell in where a strong current at the bottom pulled them into the river it was feeding, while the others continued on their journey. They could smell the sweet aroma of the fruit as they got closer. |
| The travelers then needed to pass through the center of a city filled with sky
scrapers and a dark fog. The buildings advertised movies, food, drinks, and
many other things that they shouldn't partake of. As they passed by, the signs on
the buildings and the people in the advertisements seemed to laugh at them for
not being cool or popular enough to enjoy the delicacies they seemed to be
enjoying. Some decided to "try it just this once," but were hooked and pulled
into the trap laid by others, while a few people wandered in the fog that the road
passed through. Some held tight to the rail and others let go of the railing to feel
their way and were lost on strange dark roads.
As the remaining members of the group left the city, they were sad for those left behind, but knew that they all had to make their own choices. They arrived at the orchard and were welcomed to eat by the farmer holding open the gate. They ate the fruit but there were some that still heard the taunting of the people in the city, and feeling ashamed, snuck back to the city to hide among its citizens. But those whom ate of the fruit, drank of the water, and remained in the orchard knew that it was worth the trip. They had received personal strength by staying on the road and holding onto the railing until they reached the orchard. The travelers on this journey are all of us. We are all given our free agency to follow to return to our Father in Heaven. Those that were swept away by the river and fountain are the people that think that they can withstand a little temptation and come back. They say things like, "I can quit any time," "Just once won't hurt," and "Know one will ever know." They are swept away by their desires. Those that are lost in the fog are the ones who have been blinded by temptations causing them to travel on strange roads and become lost. We are taunted every day by things such as those in the city. We see advertisements that glamorize smoking, drinking, drugs, immorality, killing and more. These people and advertisements try to lure us into their trap. At the end of the road were the farmer, orchard and fountain. Jesus welcomes us into His Father's kingdom to partake of the love of God, drink of his word, and eat of the fruit of eternal life. |