by Kelly Moran
for 17 January 1996
I've always enjoyed finding the best way to do something. Like timing my trip to work to shave a few minutes on a back street. Or using a computer to write an article or set up my web page.
The people of Raleigh, North Carolina, had to use their imaginations last week to discover the best way to go sledding without a sled.
The mountains of North Carolina got 2 feet of snow last week. The snow was high enough for sledding throughout most of the state.
This sent many folks to the hardware store for a sled. Store owner Paul Bernhardt, in Salisbury, sold his entire stock of 360 sleds in one weekend. Then he went on to sell 80 garbage can lids. (There's a little problem-solving going on already.)
Of course, Bernhardt ordered more sleds, which prompted him to observe, "If I get all the sleds I ordered, it probably will never snow again."
So the store has no more sleds, and there is two feet of snow on the ground. Here's a good engineering problem: You need speed balanced with control. Comfort is optional; safety concerns are marginal.
Well, are you thinking? What if there are no sleds? What makes a good substitute?
Some of the ingenious people who live near the hills of Raleigh tried some odd devices. How about a pizza box, or a cookie sheet? An ironing board? A window shade?
Twenty-four-year-old Marie Hennesy was interviewed on one snowy slope. "The skillet is the fastest," she said, as a friend sat on a frying pan, steering it by the handle.
Some folks were seen making several wild trips down the slope in a canoe, but gave up because there seemed to be an injury associated with every trip.
How about a sofa cushion? One adventurer said, "The cushion has the best bounce, and the cardboard box is just too slow."
Ten-year-old David Nance said, "Dresser drawers are the best." He was interviewed on his way to the house to put his sled away so he could use a drawer.
Hope his mom was home.
One person or group teaches that you must conform to a certain standard before you can be saved. Another says you must perform certain acts. There are "steps of salvation" that must be performed and "lifestyles" that must be maintained.
Now, I believe that God can transform the most wicked person and that our faith is demonstrated by our deeds, but our salvation does not come from our own behavior.
Yet, some people develop a "loophole mentality." They believe that everyone will be saved, or that salvation can be earned on the basis of a pretty good life.
I've heard that when W. C. Fields was on his deathbed, a visitor found him reading the Bible. Asked what he was doing, he replied, "Looking for loopholes, my friend. Looking for loopholes."
That's really a very sad story. Putting faith in loopholes is hopeless.
The apostle Peter said, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12)
The best minds on earth cannot figure out a better way to "do salvation" than God's way. Sure, you can get down a snow-covered hill by riding on top of a lot of different appliances. But, have you ever tried to ride a sled or pizza box up the hill?
You can go "down" many different ways, but there is only one way to reach the summit of God's kingdom: Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)
Jesus Christ is the Way. You can't beat it.
God, Help me put all my faith in Jesus.
Published weekly for 4 years and 16 weeks.
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All Scripture references are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version (unless otherwise noted).
Copyright 1996 by Kelly Moran.