I will lift up my eyes to the mountains;
From where shall my help come?
My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
(Psalm 121:-1-2)
Part 8 of 8
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Jerry was looking all around with his binoculars, trying to find a way of escape – a way to safety. Suddenly, he spotted some flashes of light from way up on top of Baldcrest.
It was then that he remembered that there was a was a fire lookout way up there on the peak. He also recalled some of the stories he had heard since he was a kid about the strange, maybe even dangerous recluse who spent his life up there.
Jerry gave the binoculars to his son, young John, and asked him if he could see anything, or make any sense out of those flashes.
After a couple of minutes looking, young John recognized the strange flashes as Morse Code. He responded back with his own brief message asking for help.
Quickly, a message was flashed back from high up on the mountain telling them where to pick up the trail. They were to follow the trail as quickly as possible in order to get out of the danger they were in. It was starting to get pretty dark, and the message back to them from the top of the mountain was sent with a flashlight. It said simply:
F-O-L-L-O-W // M-Y // L-I-G-H-T // // I // W-I-L-L // N-O-T //
S-L-E-E-P // U-N-T-I-L // Y-O-U // A-R-E // S-A-F-E
Not knowing what to expect, but trusting in Old John's promise of safety, out of reach of the onrushing fire that was destroying everything in its path, Jerry and his family followed the light and made their way up the trail and through the dark where Old John was guiding them.
Trusting completely in Old John and the message they had received from him, they began to climb the trail to the lookout high up on Baldcrest. After a while, the trail narrowed and was carved into the side of a steep cliff. Annette became very concerned that they would not be able to make it to the top, and wanted them to turn back. They stopped and Jerry, Annette, Sue and John talked about whether they could trust the instructions that had been sent to them from up on the top of the mountain. They did not want to turn back, because that seemed far worse than what seemed to lay ahead – even with the darkness of the night and the dangerous narrowing trail. So they decided to trust that if they kept their eyes on that light off in the distance, and followed the path they had been led to, they would be all right.
Slowly and carefully, they started off again – weary but hopeful.
A little while later, with the path becoming rockier and more slippery, they came to a small level place where another path went off to the right. This side-path was wider and seemed to be in a lot better shape than what they had been walking on. It looked like it was on a slight down slope, and would be easier, and probably even safer than the path they were on. They all wanted to get off of this steep, narrow, slippery path. Certainly this side-path was in better shape, safer, and it led downward to where they were certain to be safe. They decided that they should take this new path.
However, a little further off to the right, in the darkness of the night, they could see the glow of the fire. Would this path really lead them to safety – before the fire reached this new path? They really wanted to get down and out of this wilderness. They were desperate to be safe!
Jerry looked up toward the mountain top, and there he saw the light that they were supposed to follow. But that was such an uncertain path. Should they follow the message from an unknown person high up on a lone mountain peak? Or should they follow their own instincts and make a run for safety down this other path that looked so much better – in hopes of outrunning the approaching fire?
Which way would lead to safety? After some discussion, with emotions running high, they agreed that the best thing to do was to trust the message, and the unknown messenger. He did seem to have a better perspective than they did.
They picked up their packs and continued slowly up the narrow path. They kept their eyes fixed on that light. Eventually, they realized that fear and doubt would creep in whenever they focused on the narrow uncertain path, and on the darkness that surrounded them. But they became encouraged and hopeful when they fixed their attention on the light way up ahead of them.
Suddenly, Jerry's and Annette's daughter, Sue, let out a scream – her right foot slipped over the edge of the rocky path and she started to fall toward the edge. There was nothing below here but darkness! Young John was right behind his sister – He reached out in a flash and grabbed at her pack! He got it! It slipped – he grabbed again. He got a precarious hold . . . but it was enough. Sue's left foot and knee were still on the path. She was screaming and trying to lean away from the horrible darkness below. Finally, John was able to help her get back up. She was safe.
It was clear that Sue was not going to be able to carry her pack any farther up this trail. John took Sue's pack from her, and began putting some of the more critical items in his pack. He passed some of the other necessities to his mother, who passed them on to Jerry to put in his pack. Between them, Jerry and John were able to take Sue's burden off of her, so that she would not be hindered in making the climb safely to the top.
The light was still there, guiding them forward. They did not take their eyes off of it any longer than was necessary to keep their feet on the trail, and they were staying as close to each other as possible as they made their way single file on up the slippery dark path. They kept encouraging each other by reminding themselves of the promised safety that waited for them up there where the light was shining.
Annette had her head down for a moment to check where she was putting her next step when she ran into the pack on Jerry's back. He had come to a sudden stop and she had run into him before he could shout to stop. "There's no More trail! It's gone!" he stammered.
Jerry peered into the darkness beyond the sudden end of the trail, and all he could see was a cliff extending from above them on the left and extending down past where the path should be and into the darkness below. "It looks like a rockslide has wiped out the path", Jerry said. Through the darkness ahead, he could just see the path again. But it was some 20 or 30 feet away, across an impassible gulf.
Desperate and bewildered, Jerry searched the darkness for some answer, for some way of escape, for some help. Then he saw it. The light was still there. It did not seem to be that far away, but he could not tell. Distances were deceiving in the dark. Jerry called out for help. "If you can here me, please help us. We have followed your instructions and you are our only help! Death is behind us and death is in front of us! Please help us!"
As they watched, the light came closer, and slowly closer. They heard a voice calling back to them, "Don't be afraid. I'm here with you, and I'll get you to safety."
The light stopped at the far edge of the gap in the trail, and was obviously being set down on the ground. Through the darkness, they could just make out the image of a man. He appeared to be getting ready to throw something across to them. "Take this rope that I'm throwing over to you. I'll use it to send over a hammer and some anchors. Drive the anchors securely into the ground and fasten the rope to the anchors. We'll make a bridge to get you all across this gap. You will be safe."
After an hour or so, they had a rope bridge that spanned the dangerous gap and should be secure enough to walk across – one at a time. John volunteered to try the bridge out. He trusted his father, and was beginning to be able to trust this strange man on the other side of this bridge. So far he had been faithful to his word - he certainly seemed to be able to do what he said he would do – bring them to safety.
John stepped on the rope bridge, first one foot, then the other. It sank under his weight and his heart jumped into his throat – but it was holding him. Slowly, he moved across, one foot, then the other – one slow step after another.
The bridge was made of a single rope to "walk" on, with two additional ropes about waist high to hold onto About every two feet, there were vertical ropes connecting the bottom rope to each of the two waist-high ropes. These helped to keep the three ropes a s stable as possible, even tough the bridge as a unit swayed from side to side with each step.
After John had reached the halfway point, he moved a bit quicker – until he had reached the other end and jumped off into the outreached arms of the man who was waiting for him. Old John gave him a big bear hug and then helped him squeeze past on the narrow path so that he could help Sue come across.
Soon, all four of them were safely across. They all wanted to thank Old John at once. But, it was still dark, and they were still on this precariously narrow path hanging on the side of the cliff. There was still a way to go to the lookout. Old John squeezed carefully passed each of them. He passed a rope back down to them, and they tied themselves together. If one slipped, the others could more easily help the one in danger. They started off again – feeling far more secure than a short time ago.
Soon, they were passing the timberline, and leaving the last of the trees behind. They were almost there.
Slowly and carefully, they started off again – weary but hopeful.
A little while later, with the path becoming rockier and more slippery, they came to a small level place where another path went off to the right. This side-path was wider and seemed to be in a lot better shape than what they had been walking on. It looked like it was on a slight down slope, and would be easier, and probably even safer than the path they were on. They all wanted to get off of this steep, narrow, slippery path. Certainly this side-path was in better shape, safer, and it led downward to where they were certain to be safe. They decided that they should take this new path.
However, a little further off to the right, in the darkness of the night, they could see the glow of the fire. Would this path really lead them to safety – before the fire reached this new path? They really wanted to get down and out of this wilderness. They were desperate to be safe!
Jerry looked up toward the mountain top, and there he saw the light that they were supposed to follow. But that was such an uncertain path. Should they follow the message from an unknown person high up on a lone mountain peak? Or should they follow their own instincts and make a run for safety down this other path that looked so much better – in hopes of outrunning the approaching fire?
Which way would lead to safety? After some discussion, with emotions running high, they agreed that the best thing to do was to trust the message, and the unknown messenger. He did seem to have a better perspective than they did.
They picked up their packs and continued slowly up the narrow path. They kept their eyes fixed on that light. Eventually, they realized that fear and doubt would creep in whenever they focused on the narrow uncertain path, and on the darkness that surrounded them. But they became encouraged and hopeful when they fixed their attention on the light way up ahead of them.
Suddenly, Jerry's and Annette's daughter, Sue, let out a scream – her right foot slipped over the edge of the rocky path and she started to fall toward the edge. There was nothing below here but darkness! Young John was right behind his sister – He reached out in a flash and grabbed at her pack! He got it! It slipped – he grabbed again. He got a precarious hold . . . but it was enough. Sue's left foot and knee were still on the path. She was screaming and trying to lean away from the horrible darkness below. Finally, John was able to help her get back up. She was safe.
It was clear that Sue was not going to be able to carry her pack any farther up this trail. John took Sue's pack from her, and began putting some of the more critical items in his pack. He passed some of the other necessities to his mother, who passed them on to Jerry to put in his pack. Between them, Jerry and John were able to take Sue's burden off of her, so that she would not be hindered in making the climb safely to the top.
The light was still there, guiding them forward. They did not take their eyes off of it any longer than was necessary to keep their feet on the trail, and they were staying as close to each other as possible as they made their way single file on up the slippery dark path. They kept encouraging each other by reminding themselves of the promised safety that waited for them up there where the light was shining.
Annette had her head down for a moment to check where she was putting her next step when she ran into the pack on Jerry's back. He had come to a sudden stop and she had run into him before he could shout to stop. "There's no More trail! It's gone!" he stammered.
Jerry peered into the darkness beyond the sudden end of the trail, and all he could see was a cliff extending from above them on the left and extending down past where the path should be and into the darkness below. "It looks like a rockslide has wiped out the path", Jerry said. Through the darkness ahead, he could just see the path again. But it was some 20 or 30 feet away, across an impassible gulf.
Desperate and bewildered, Jerry searched the darkness for some answer, for some way of escape, for some help. Then he saw it. The light was still there. It did not seem to be that far away, but he could not tell. Distances were deceiving in the dark. Jerry called out for help. "If you can here me, please help us. We have followed your instructions and you are our only help! Death is behind us and death is in front of us! Please help us!"
As they watched, the light came closer, and slowly closer. They heard a voice calling back to them, "Don't be afraid. I'm here with you, and I'll get you to safety."
The light stopped at the far edge of the gap in the trail, and was obviously being set down on the ground. Through the darkness, they could just make out the image of a man. He appeared to be getting ready to throw something across to them. "Take this rope that I'm throwing over to you. I'll use it to send over a hammer and some anchors. Drive the anchors securely into the ground and fasten the rope to the anchors. We'll make a bridge to get you all across this gap. You will be safe."
After an hour or so, they had a rope bridge that spanned the dangerous gap and should be secure enough to walk across – one at a time. John volunteered to try the bridge out. He trusted his father, and was beginning to be able to trust this strange man on the other side of this bridge. So far he had been faithful to his word - he certainly seemed to be able to do what he said he would do – bring them to safety.
John stepped on the rope bridge, first one foot, then the other. It sank under his weight and his heart jumped into his throat – but it was holding him. Slowly, he moved across, one foot, then the other – one slow step after another.
The bridge was made of a single rope to "walk" on, with two additional ropes about waist high to hold onto About every two feet, there were vertical ropes connecting the bottom rope to each of the two waist-high ropes. These helped to keep the three ropes a s stable as possible, even tough the bridge as a unit swayed from side to side with each step.
After John had reached the halfway point, he moved a bit quicker – until he had reached the other end and jumped off into the outreached arms of the man who was waiting for him. Old John gave him a big bear hug and then helped him squeeze past on the narrow path so that he could help Sue come across.
Soon, all four of them were safely across. They all wanted to thank Old John at once. But, it was still dark, and they were still on this precariously narrow path hanging on the side of the cliff. There was still a way to go to the lookout. Old John squeezed carefully passed each of them. He passed a rope back down to them, and they tied themselves together. If one slipped, the others could more easily help the one in danger. They started off again – feeling far more secure than a short time ago.
Soon, they were passing the timberline, and leaving the last of the trees behind. They were almost there.
Finally, they came around the last edge of the cliff above them and up to a little level spot where the trail widened significantly. There, Old John stopped and welcomed them to the safety of his home. He was still holding the flashlight that had been their main source of encouragement throught their ordeal. They untied themselves from the rope, and Old John greeted them with real bear hugs. He led them up the wooden steps and into his cozy warm lookout where he had prepared a special place for them to rest and have something to eat and drink.
Old John had the biggest smile on his face – he was as happy as they were that they were all safe. Only Old John fully realized the terrible danger Jerry's family had been in, and how important it was that they have his help to get to safety. Without Old John the whole family would have perished.
The next morning, after a good night's rest, they looked out from the lookout and were overwhelmed by the sight of all the destruction. They were already filled with gratefulness for Old John rescuing them. But, as they looked out across the scorched forest, they began to realize even more all that they had been saved from, and what Old John had really done for them. They could not wait to tell their friends about their rescue, and most of all, about Old John and just how wonderful he is.
______________________
He will not allow your foot to slip;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
(Psalm 121:3)
Jesus said, "I am the Light of the world;
he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness,
but will have the Light of life."
(John 8:12)
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
(Psalm 119:105)
Jesus said, "Do not let your heart be troubled;
believe in God, believe also in Me.
In My Father’s house are many dwelling places;
if it were not so, I would have told you;
for I go to prepare a place for you.
If I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come again and receive you to Myself,
that where I am, there you may be also."
(John 14:1-3)
The Scripture says, "whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed."
(Romans 10:11; Isaiah 28:16)
