A Parable

Two young men left their apartment, jumped into their sport utility vehicle, talking eagerly about their plans for the evening.  Before leaving town they stopped to gas up.  After paying the attendant they dropped a few dollars into the gas station’s charity container.  They drove several miles into the country with the windows down, laughing and talking as they went, occasionally breaking into song.

Upon reaching their destination they parked their vehicle just off the main road on a dirt pathway.  From there they hiked ¾ of a mile into the forest, traversing the stream twice, until they reached a beautiful waterfall, the cathedral of the forest.  Countless slate stones made up the banks of the stream on each side of a large pool at the base of the waterfall.  The two young men began skipping stones, one after another. 

The stones smacked the water and sailed high into the air, soaring above the falls.  They began to see who could get their stone to sail the highest, clapping their hands in excitement and raising their hands in the air each time a stone sailed higher and higher and out of sight.  The slapping of the stones, the rush of the falls, the bustling winds in the trees, the chirping birds, the gurgle of the water passing by their feet – the woods were alive with worship. 

For the next hour they skipped rocks, talked about life, relaxed under the canopy of the forest, breathed in the fresh smell of churning water, and enjoyed each other’s company.  And then, they removed shoes and socks and shirts, and flopped into the water.  Immersed in the water, they were baptized in the pleasure of the moment.  They emerged from the water feeling fresh and clean.  Finally, they decided to head back to their car. 

On the way back they encountered a woman and her daughter gathering twigs, attempting to build a fire by the side of the stream.  The two young men saw their need, bent down on their knees, and began to help them.  They gathered twigs, small branches, birch bark, pine cones and needles, and large sticks.  On their knees they struck a match, breathed into the fire, and prayed it to life.  Soon they had a nice fire going.  It was a beautiful sight. 

They sat by the stream for a short while, enjoying the warmth of the fire as the evening cooled.  And then, they arose from where they sat, spoke a kind word of blessing to the woman and her daughter, and turned to start back towards their vehicle.  Before they left the woman and her daughter thanked them for their help.  They would have struggled to start the fire without them.  They shook hands as they left; smiles all around. 

After reaching their vehicle the two young men got back in and drove down the wooded highway, the same way they had come in.  They were headed home.  They drove into town, still enjoying each other’s company, full of contentment and satisfaction from their peaceful evening.  As they drove through town a few churches they passed were just letting out from Sunday evening service.  They saw people shaking hands and giving hugs, smiling to each other as they left the church building.  The church people walked back to their cars, got in, and headed home.