In ‘The Complete Disciple’, Paul W. Powell describes a picture of a rugged wagon train painted by a famous artist of the American West.
It is night and the wagons have been drawn into a circle for protection. The men are gathered around the campfire, and the wagon-master has a map spread out before him. On the map a heavy black line traces the zigzag course they have followed.
They had swung north a little, then south, but always toward the west. An argument seems to have erupted about which way to go next. But the leader, with weary determination, has placed one finger on the end of the black line. With his other arm he is pointing toward the shadowy mountains. He seems to be saying, “We may have to go south around a mountain, or north across a river, but our direction will always be west.”
Every Christian should have a similar resolve. Difficult circumstances may stand in our way as we continue on the course God has marked out. But if we keep our eyes on the goal by “looking unto Jesus,” we will not stray from the path He has outlined.”
This story paints a very vivid picture in my mind of that wagon train and the campfire. The circle is for protection and showing care for each other just as our arms can form a circle when we hug someone. (Obviously not at the minute).
Many obstacles may be in our way but with perseverance and endurance we can reach our final destination by keeping our eyes on the One who maps out our life’s journey
