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Following are excerpts from a church talk that was given in Idaho:
Several weeks ago I read in the newspaper about a corn patch in Meridian.
This particular corn patch had corn that was nearly 12 feet tall. A maze had
been designed in the corn and its pathways created a life-size puzzle.
People were invited to walk into the maze for the purpose of trying to find
their way out.
The maze had many dead ends and false paths. Some of the pathways would
simply wind through the corn patch and eventually circle back. In the
newspaper I noticed that there was an aerial map and I thought how easy it
would be to get through by studying the map.
Several weeks later my boys and wife informed me that for Family Home
Evening they wanted to go through the corn maze. I agreed and remembered the
map I had seen in the newspaper. Unfortunately, it had already been thrown
away.
Off we went anyway, armed with flashlights ready to solve the maze. My older
boys charged off, convinced that they could solve the puzzle quicker than we
could. My wife, two younger boys and I started exploring the various
pathways. As time passed we realized that that we were making slow progress
and that our older sons may have been right. On several occasions we found
dead ends and had to return to a previous starting point. We circled and
backtracked.
There were others in the maze; some walking toward us and others walking
with us in the same direction. My youngest son was a little frightened and
began to worry that we would never get out. After offering him words of
reassurance, we ran into our older boys who, ironically, were having an
experience very similar to ours. We stayed together the rest of the evening
and soon learned that following others did not help in solving the maze.
Some people had advice, but you could never be sure if they really knew the
way or if they were simply entertaining themselves with our frustration.
Eventually, after more wandering through the maze, we found our way out. It
was a memorable Family Home Evening, but I won't tell you how long it took
us to find our way out! It sure would have been easier if I had kept and
used the aerial map.
As we look at the world today, it is very apparent that we must all wander
through the maze of lie and its challenges. Many people, unfortunately,
travel through life without clear goals and objectives. Others have goals
which are clear, but that have nothing to do with God's purpose for this
earthly existence. If the people of the world only had an aerial picture,
map or plan to help solve the puzzle of life.
As members of the church, we have been provided with the knowledge and
instructions that allow us to do just that. Like using an aerial photo to
solve the maze, we are able to use this knowledge to avoid many of the dead
ends and detours that create so much pain and grief in the world. It is
unfortunate when we fail to follow the maps we've been provided. If we will
only follow their instructions, we will arrive at our objective of returning
with our families to the presence of God and Jesus Christ.
Are we using the Lord's map for a successful life? Do we place the building
up of the Lord's kingdom first? This should always be the first choice. When
we decide to follow other goals, we are only getting lost in the maze.
Ways to Enjoy the Maze |
How to Conquer a Maze |
MAiZE Survivors
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