thing seems to crumble around us and we’re helplessly blocked in all our attempts. Life apart from Jesus Christ can be that way. We try our best. We honor our fellow man. We work hard. And then health fails, a loved one dies, a business deal falls through. And we become bitter. A deep-rooted frustration sets in until all of life is blurred. The happy years are wrung pitilessly dry and deep within our soul we are alone . . . without a thing to cling to. But God is still God. And He knows and He cares . . . about you. And suddenly we know we must get right with this one who loves us with such an infinite love. We hear Him say, “ The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life.” We hear Him say, “ Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him.” We hear Him say, “ Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the L ord , and he will have mercy upon him; . . . for he will abundantly pardon.” Wonderful words. They are the only words that can help the deep frustrations that come upon each of us at some time in life. Only God can forgive and heal and cleanse and mend your broken spirit. But He will never force Himself upon you. He has pro vided a way to Himself through Jesus Christ. Hear God say of Jesus Christ, “ But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” This is God’s way. Let us not quarrel with it. Let’s try it. And when we do we will find that in Christ is life. A life that surmounts the petty frustrations that plague us . . . a life that is solidly complete. Why? Because God is the author of it. Man’s best often falls short. God will not, cannot fail anyone who comes to Him on His terms. This is the final answer to frus tration. ---- L.H.
good story always bears repeating . . . even after it’s a little on the threadbare side. Here’s one that falls into this category. It seems there was a convict who was doing 20 years for forgery. Life can get a little dull in a prison so he decided he needed something to occupy his time. This convict was a pretty smart character and wasn’t satisfied with any ordinary hobby. After giving it a lot of thought he decided he should have a hobby that would pay off when he got back out in the world. He recalled having once seen a flea circus. Why not train an ant? Out in the prison yard he found an unusually large black ant. For the next five years he painstakingly trained the ant to arrange toothpicks into intricate patterns. Fellow convicts were amazed at the feat. The next five years were spent in the torturous task of teaching the ant to walk about erect. Then came the third five years of daily instruction until the ant became a graceful dancer. By now even the warden was an open admirer. The convict had five years left and he determined to do the impossible with his bril liant arit: he would teach him to talk. When the 20 years were up the educated ant could talk fluently. Then came his release. The convict put on his new suit and carefully cradling his phenomenal ant he headed for the city. The world was now his. TV and personal appearances would mean millions of dollars. The 20 long years of painstaking instruction were more than worthwhile. It was a warm day and as he walked into town he saw a bar and decided to rest a few minutes. As the bartender approached, the ex convict decided this would be a good time to show off his prize ant. He had difficulty controlling his expres sion as he anticipated the bartender’s amazement. Carefully he placed the ant in front of him. “What’ll it be?” asked the bartender. The ex-con waved his arm in a downward arc in front of him. “ Look at that,” he said. “Huh? Oh, yeah. An ant. Pesky aren’t they?” And with an unconcerned grunt the bartend er’s fat thumb squashed the talking ant into pulp. That’s frustration. None of us can escape the blocking tactics of frus tration. We plan and work and wait. And then every
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