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Recently, tragedy struck near the small town where I live. The narrow, serpentine portion of Antelope Canyon is a popular destination for hikers and photographers. Sandstone cliffs have been worn into fantastic shapes, through centuries of water erosion. One can stand at the sandy bottom and gaze up at the ribbon of blue sky several hundred feet above. At some points, the canyon is so narrow that one can reach out and touch both walls with outstretched arms.

On August 12, twelve hikers entered lower Antelope Canyon. Half of the group were traveling with their 28-year-old tour guide. August falls during the monsoon season here, during which thunderstorms deliver the modest amount of rain which we receive. Miles away, a storm dropped rain. The water quickly accumulated, running off of sandstone cliffs, and rolling along the surface of the sandy soil. Those who do not live in the desert find it hard to fathom how a wall of water can suddenly appear out of nowhere, pushing up dry sand before it, carrying debris along in its surging power.

The guide had apparently climbed part way up one of the cliffs, to take some photographs, when a twelve foot wall of water thundered down the narrow canyon. He grabbed hold of some bushes, and tried to hold onto two of the hikers near him with his other hand. For those on the canyon floor, there was nowhere to run to. The water struck with incredible force, tearing the two hikers from the guide�s grip. People were swept away in the surging, roiling maelstrom of brown water. Somehow, the guide managed to hang on. The force of the impact completely stripped the clothes from his body. He alone survived.

***

Several years ago, we visited my wife�s family in Australia. Her brother Timothy drove us up into the Blue Mountains of Sydney in his Toyota Land Cruiser. He had told of an old railway tunnel in which were thousands of �glow worms�. During the lengthy drive, we enjoyed the beauty of the Australian bush, and watched for kangaroos.

Finally, we arrived at the tunnel, only to discover that we had failed to pack any flashlights. Tim said "No worries," and promised that he could lead us through the tunnel with no problems. He told us that we would be walking along a narrow shelf in the tunnel wall, about two feet wide. Beyond the edge of this shelf, was a four or five foot drop to the tunnel floor, where the old train tracks ran. The floor was littered with rocks and rubble. We were concerned because we had our young son with us, and a fall could be very dangerous. Tim confidently offered to carry him, and to take the lead. We followed behind him in single file as we entered the tunnel. At first, we had the blazing sunlight from the mouth of the tunnel to light our way, but soon we turned a corner, and the blackness settled in on us like a heavy blanket. I followed immediately behind Tim, keeping my hand on his back. In this manner, we made our way through the pitch blackness, like a human chain.

Soon we began to see tiny points of light to our right side. Tiny worms lined the tunnel walls, giving off a faint glow, like a dim constellation of stars. If we pressed our faces close to the wall, we could see the minute glowing bodies of the worms. Water dripped with a hollow, empty sound as we made our way to the other end of the cool, damp tunnel. Finally, a blazing circle of light told us that we had reached the other end. We had made it! Eventually, we traveled back through the tunnel to the Land Cruiser with no mishaps. Tim had kept his word, and safely guided us through.

***

We live in a world which has a surplus of guides. Life is filled with the noise of those clamoring with their claims of knowledge and wisdom. There are many who would be our guide. Many of these guides, however, lack the wisdom and experience which they claim. Choosing a guide involves trust. We trust that they are equipped and experienced enough to lead us safely in the journey. The tragedy of Antelope Canyon shows the danger of choosing a guide who is inadequate. A guide who knew the area would never have led those people into the narrow canyon when gray rain clouds filled the sky.

In the spiritual arena, as well, choosing the wrong guide can be very costly. Jesus referred to the Pharisees as �blind guides". The Pharisees claimed to know the way. They were self-professed experts, and yet Jesus said of them, that if the blind lead the blind, they will both end up in the ditch (Matthew 15:14). In John 16:12, Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit, who would guide us into all truth. The Spirit is called the Comforter in the original language, one who is called alongside. God�s Spirit works in conjunction with His Word. Jesus said in John 14:26 that the Spirit would "�teach you all things, and will remind you of everything I have said to you."

God does empower leaders and teachers, but be wary and wise in your choice of guides. Paul warns in 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 that since Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light, we should not be surprised that his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Jesus, also warned of false prophets who appear to be sheep, but inwardly are ravenous wolves (Matthew 7:15). This means that we need to discern beyond the outward appearance, scratch beneath the surface, to perceive the true nature of things. Deception doesn�t arrive with a special warning label plastered on it. It is deceptive because it looks very much like the real thing. Truth will stand the test, but lies wither in the light of truth.

Be careful who you choose for a guide. What is their track record? Where are they leading you to? How genuine are they? Most of all, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith�" who has blazed the trail ahead of us.

If history repeats itself, and the unexpected always happens, how incapable must Man be of learning from experience!
--George Bernard Shaw

Reproduction of this article for free distribution is permitted.

A Tale of Two Guides Recently, tragedy struck near the small town where I live. The narrow, serpentine portion of Antelope Canyon is a popular destination for hikers and photographers. Sandstone cliffs have been worn into fantastic shapes, through centuries of water erosion. One can stand at the sandy bottom and gaze up at the ribbon of blue sky several hundred feet above. At some points, the canyon is so narrow that one can reach out and touch both walls with outstretched arms. On August 12, twelve hikers entered lower Antelope Canyon. Half of the group were traveling with their 28-year-old tour guide. August falls during the monsoon season here, during which thunderstorms deliver the modest amount of rain which we receive. Miles away, a storm dropped rain. The water quickly accumulated, running off of sandstone cliffs, and rolling along the surface of the sandy soil. Those who do not live in the desert find it hard to fathom how a wall of water can suddenly appear out of nowhere, pushing up dry sand before it, carrying debris along in its surging power. The guide had apparently climbed part way up one of the cliffs, to take some photographs, when a twelve foot wall of water thundered down the narrow canyon. He grabbed hold of some bushes, and tried to hold onto two of the hikers near him with his other hand. For those on the canyon floor, there was nowhere to run to. The water struck with incredible force, tearing the two hikers from the guide�s grip. People were swept away in the surging, roiling maelstrom of brown water. Somehow, the guide managed to hang on. The force of the impact completely stripped the clothes from his body. He alone survived. * Several years ago, we visited my wife�s family in Australia. Her brother Timothy drove us up into the Blue Mountains of Sydney in his Toyota Land Cruiser. He had told of an old railway tunnel in which were thousands of �glow worms�. During the lengthy drive, we enjoyed the beauty of the Australian bush, and watched for kangaroos. Finally, we arrived at the tunnel, only to discover that we had failed to pack any flashlights. Tim said "No worries," and promised that he could lead us through the tunnel with no problems. He told us that we would be walking along a narrow shelf in the tunnel wall, about two feet wide. Beyond the edge of this shelf, was a four or five foot drop to the tunnel floor, where the old train tracks ran. The floor was littered with rocks and rubble. We were concerned because we had our young son with us, and a fall could be very dangerous. Tim confidently offered to carry him, and to take the lead. We followed behind him in single file as we entered the tunnel. At first, we had the blazing sunlight from the mouth of the tunnel to light our way, but soon we turned a corner, and the blackness settled in on us like a heavy blanket. I followed immediately behind Tim, keeping my hand on his back. In this manner, we made our way through the pitch blackness, like a human chain. Soon we began to see tiny points of light to our right side. Tiny worms lined the tunnel walls, giving off a faint glow, like a dim constellation of stars. If we pressed our faces close to the wall, we could see the minute glowing bodies of the worms. Water dripped with a hollow, empty sound as we made our way to the other end of the cool, damp tunnel. Finally, a blazing circle of light told us that we had reached the other end. We had made it! Eventually, we traveled back through the tunnel to the Land Cruiser with no mishaps. Tim had kept his word, and safely guided us through. * We live in a world which has a surplus of guides. Life is filled with the noise of those clamoring with their claims of knowledge and wisdom. There are many who would be our guide. Many of these guides, however, lack the wisdom and experience which they claim. Choosing a guide involves trust. We trust that they are equipped and experienced enough to lead us safely in the journey. The tragedy of Antelope Canyon shows the danger of choosing a guide who is inadequate. A guide who knew the area would never have led those people into the narrow canyon when gray rain clouds filled the sky. In the spiritual arena, as well, choosing the wrong guide can be very costly. Jesus referred to the Pharisees as �blind guides". The Pharisees claimed to know the way. They were self-professed experts, and yet Jesus said of them, that if the blind lead the blind, they will both end up in the ditch (Matthew 15:14). In John 16:12, Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit, who would guide us into all truth. The Spirit is called the Comforter in the original language, one who is called alongside. God�s Spirit works in conjunction with His Word. Jesus said in John 14:26 that the Spirit would "�teach you all things, and will remind you of everything I have said to you." God does empower leaders and teachers, but be wary and wise in your choice of guides. Paul warns in 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 that since Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light, we should not be surprised that his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Jesus, also warned of false prophets who appear to be sheep, but inwardly are ravenous wolves (Matthew 7:15). This means that we need to discern beyond the outward appearance, scratch beneath the surface, to perceive the true nature of things. Deception doesn�t arrive with a special warning label plastered on it. It is deceptive because it looks very much like the real thing. Truth will stand the test, but lies wither in the light of truth. Be careful who you choose for a guide. What is their track record? Where are they leading you to? How genuine are they? Most of all, "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith�" who has blazed the trail ahead of us. If history repeats itself, and the unexpected always happens, how incapable must Man be of learning from experience! --George Bernard Shaw Reproduction of this article for free distribution is permitted.

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