An apocryphal parable teaches a good lesson for those who feel that God, Fate, or whatever higher power they follow may have abandoned them in their troubles. It is worth recalling that each person has talents, abillities, dispositions, and aspirations enough so as to accomplish whatever higher purpose they have.

Those who say "God will save us” is testing or tempting God. Readers of the Holy Scriptures should recall one of the most pithy sayings pronounced by Jesus during his ministry. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus confronts the evil one:

And all the temptation being ended, the devil departed from him for a time.

There is a good story that illustrates the dangers that can befall those who allow their arms to fall at their sides, having given heed to their own exhaustion or concupiscience when called upon instead to do the work of the Lord in the world. This is especially worth hearing in a world that appears to dead-set against the God of Moses and Jesus: a world where words are perverted and twisted from their true meaning and where evil is proclaimed as good. 

The story unfolds...

     There was once a man who lived in a house along the bank of a large river. When a rain storm came, the river rose and the rushing stream broke the levee that protected the land around. When the man saw that his life was threatened by the rising tide, he called out “God save me!” Fortunately, a truck full of his neighbors came to the house. The driver told the man that they had come to take him to safety. The man refused, and smiling he said “God will save me” Reluctantly, the driver and the truck left.

The flood continued to rise.

It was then that a boat manned by the Coast Guard came to the house. The guards insisted that the man come with them. He still refused to leave for his own safety. He smiled again and said, "No, thanks. God will save me.” And so the boat left.

When the flood waters increased, the man fled to the roof of his now surrounded house for safety. Then a helicopter came by. Calling down to the man with a megaphone, the pilot said "Come with us. This is your last chance!" But the man said, "God will save me.” The helicopter left, and the water continued to rise.

When the man ineluctably drowned and died, he was brought before the Judgement Seat. He complained to the Holy One, "Lord, why is it I prayed to you and you didn’t save me?”

The Lord replied sadly, “What do you mean? I sent you a truck, a boat and a helicopter. You refused them all."

     Even in a world when believers are surrounded by the followers of the evil one, they must continue to use the talents they have and continue to struggle in the Lord's service. Let not their hands be idle.