Living in Hope

PROCEEDING WITH CAUTION A purposeful man always looks ahead to the future— straight forward and not towards right or left. He always thinks of long-lasting consequences rather than momentary considerations. W hen rivers have to be crossed, small animals can swim across and larger lightweight animals can swiftly walk by. But watch an elephant who is about to make the crossing. He does not step out briskly like other creatures. First, he tests the riverbed for hardness or softness, making sure not to put his whole weight on his forefoot, then, when he is sure of his ground, he sets forth. Even once launched, his progress is slow for he is still afraid of becoming irremediably stuck in soft mud. He proceeds with caution, testing the riverbed at every step. Who taught the elephant to do this? Surely it must have been God who gave him his instinct for survival, thus setting upon him His seal of divine approval.