The native Americans asked their Chief in autumn if the winter was going to be cold or not.

     Not really knowing an answer, the chief replied that the winter was going to be cold and that the members of the village were to collect wood to be prepared.

     Being a good and wise leader, he then went to the nearest phone booth and called the National Weather Service and asked, “Is this winter to be cold?”

     The man on the phone responded, “This winter is going to be quite cold indeed.”

     So the Chief went back to speed up his people to collect even more wood to be prepared.  A week later he called the National Weather Service again, “Is it going to be a very cold winter?”

     “Yes,” the man replied, “it’s going to be a very cold winter.” So the Chief went back to his people and ordered them to go and find every scrap of wood they could find.

     Two weeks later he called the National Weather Service again “Are you absolutely sure that the winter is going to be very cold?”

     “Absolutely,” the man replies, “the native Americans are collecting wood like crazy!”

     Sometimes the one whom we regard as a “source of authority” isn’t such an authority after all.  That can have some serious consequences in life, but in the spiritual realm the consequences can be downright deadly.  If I rely on the “expertise” of someone who doesn’t know, but who is relying on the “expertise” of someone else who doesn’t know, then my spiritual training has no real foundation in truth.

     Jesus prayed to his Father in the Garden of Gethsemane, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” (John 17:17-18).

     Therein lies the only basis for understanding that which is true.  Where are you going for spiritual advice?

Alan Smith

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