Safe Passage Through Storms!!!

Monarch butterflies. One of Holy God's most beautiful and delicate creatures --- Early each fall, across North America, Monarch butterflies begin to gather in order to migrat,,e south. Yes, from all over the USA and even from parts of Canada...they gather to make their trip!!! As some of you probably know, butterlfies are considered a symbol of new life!!! Ok. Now let's put that thought "on hold" for a few moments...but don't let that thought "slip away". The "planned destination" for the Monarch butterflies is the mountains of Mexico where they gather to spend the winter. Now put that thought "on hold" also. Since the destination for the monarch butterflies is the mountains of Mexico...we don't have to wonder about the route they take to arrive at those mountains... Many of us who live in the south of the US have had the dreadful experiences of powerful, destructive hurricanes: high winds, flooding, rains - destroying homes as well as massive concrete-and-steel buildings. Most of those hurricanes come up through the Gulf of Mexico, gather strength from the warmer waters there - before they hit landfall. So here are the beautiful, FRAGILE, delicate Monarch butterflies poised near the beach areas of the Gulf of Mexico -- the very "storm track" of the hurricanes... How in the world do these butterflies get through all THAT...to get to the mountains of Mexico??? Well, their way is not "of the world". Rather, they are guided, enabled and carried by our Creator. As we are!!! To our mere human eyes --- butterflies are far more beautiful than we are -- Jesus is "the way" (NOT-directions to a location), But he is the Person who will take us there - to eternity in his radiance. (John 17:24) He does this not because of who we are, nor what we have done... But because of Who He Is. Because of What He Has Done, What He Is Doing, Which He Will Complete (Phil 1:6/2 Cor 3:18) How do we "get there"? Day by day, come to him humbly, submit to him, to him carrying us through the day and night, thanking him, praising him, and blessing him. Bringing our "thoughts captive to the obedience of Jesus" (2 Cor 10:5). Oh Lord, You are my shepherd. "You cause me to lie down in green pastures, you lead me beside still waters. You restore my soul. You lead me in the paths of righteousness for Your name's sake. Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me...your rod and your staff they comfort me...You annoint my head with oil...my cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." (Pssalm 23:1-6) Praise Jesus Forever!!!