up to your neck in it...

Jesus answered them, “Do you finally believe? 

In fact, you’re about to make a run for it—saving your own skins and abandoning me. 

But I’m not abandoned. The Father is with me. 

I’ve told you all this so that trusting me, 

you will be unshakable and assured, deeply at peace. 

In this godless world you will continue to experience difficulties. 

But take heart! I’ve conquered the world.”

John 16:33 (Message translation)

The story goes that two men were caught up on the roof of a barn when a fire broke out. They had no way to escape the dilemma except to jump into the pile of manure that had been rotting for compost. 

Bill, wanting to help his friend, offered to jump first; 

"I'll holler back up and let you know if I made it!"

Oh he goes through the smoke...after a long pause his friend hears from below; "go ahead! It's ankle deep but I'm ok!"

Off he goes, and plop! He sinks up to his neck!

"Hey, I thought you said it was only ankle deep?"

"It is, I went head first"

Yeah, it's kinda gross, but it's a true fact that life has us right in the thick of it and we feel as if we are up to our necks. 

We live in a broken world with broken people...it's gonna get messy. 

Jesus wanted to make sure his folks got that so when it hit the fan they wouldn't be caught off guard. 

So, where does that leave us?

  

In the same place where Jesus found himself. The key for him was that his focus what not what was under his feet, but rather who was above his head....namely, His Father. 

When we keep the same perspective, we can endure all things with joy too. 

Keep walking...