So, a few weeks back, before we left on vacation, I went out to fire up the grill for dinner.  As I opened the lid, I saw a small grasshopper sitting inside as I lit the fire.  He was perched on the part of the lid where the 'clamshell' comes together, a place that would get very hot in the next few minutes. 

Not wanting to see the little guy burn, I took the long matchstick (yeah, I really need to get that igniter replaced) and tried to coax him from his dangerous position.  At that point he jumped onto the rapidly warming grill grate closest to the flames.  He was still alive, so I tried to get him to jump onto the stick, or better yet, just nudge him enough that he would see that this wasn't someplace he wanted to be.

Well, he went from the grill grate into the fire, and thanks to a season's worth of grease on the lava rocks, he was STILL alive.  Now, at this point, I'm just thinking it's a challenge but I can STILL get him out of this if I maybe place that stick like a little 'ladder' for him to climb up.  Well, by this time, he's associated that stick with being annoyed, and jumps into the flames rather than take the help he could  get from it. 

Well, the analogy pretty much writes itself, but it took me a while to think what God was teaching me here.  And here's what I think the Lord was telling me:

1.  The world doesn't want to think of the fire that awaits in punishment for sin.

2.  Witness to those that don't realize how precarious their situation is (and EVERYONE without Jesus is in that 'situation').

3.  The GOSPEL is what is needed, and while the Word of the Lord might 'annoy', or be 'foolish' to those that do not understand... it's God's perfect Word and plan for our salvation.  Nothing else is needed, even if it offends the sinful heart.

4.  Realize my limits - when I become more of the focus (the challenge of getting that grasshopper out - not the saving itself), then His Will isn't being done, but mine.  And I could push someone further away by 'messing up the message'.

God Bless.