“It ain’t enough to blow a catfish off a sandbag, but it’ll do!”

by Andy Oldham

 (An often  untalked about result of the Easter Story)

 The “Walk” is part of the gift.

As Indians attacked lightning strikes clapped to a drum-roll-of-thunder in the distance. John Banner and four others ran to a ravine for protection. The Indians began to pick them off one by one until there were only two. The water was non-existent. Mouths were parched by hot desert air; after many hours they were dying from thirst. Arrows, shot like darts, pounded around them. An enemy stood between them and life. They had to have water if there was any chance of survival.

Lightning cracked across the sky enticing palates to make a choice of water, or the arrow. It was a dismal choice — life or death — by what means? There was no compromising. Either stand against those who wanted to kill them or run toward the water that would save them.

“Listen! Do you hear that?”

“It’s just the wind,” Banner said.

“Look! Water!

“It ain’t enough to blow a catfish off a sandbag but it’ll do!” said Banner. The distant storm had delivered small remnants of water down the ravine.

Before they could garner a small sip of the muddy broth, one Indian jumped in and tried to kill them. Banner fought him off and held his head under a pool of mud and water till he almost drowned. Suddenly, he pulled him up and shoved him to the side.

Exhausted. “How many more are you?” Banner asked?

“I’m the last one. The others are dead.”

Banner looked at the Indian and said, “Go! Go back to your tribe and tell your people that not all men are bad.”

It wasn’t long before the Indian returned with a group of warriors. He was riding a horse and holding the reins of another. Dismounting, he offered Banner a canteen of water.

“This is my way of thanking you,” and handed Banner the reins to both horses. Behind him the warriors rode off, leaving the Indian with no ride.

Don’t you need a horse to get back your camp?” Banner asked.

To which he replied,“The walk is part of the gift”.

Jesus was judged with a harsh hatred by Caiaphas who then turned Him over to Pilate. Jesus walked from his sentencing before those who judged Him, to His crucifixion. It was an agonizing walk, one with purpose.

Jesus gave us a very special gift as he walked toward the cross. His walk became our gift. His walk is the gift.

Jesus said if you have faith the size of a grain of a mustard seed, you can move mountains (Matt. 17:20-21).  In other words, your faith may not be enough to blow a catfish off a sandbag, but it’ll do. No! There is not an, it’ll do when it comes to the crucifixion of Christ, or our faith, no matter how small. If God said it, it will be done! Do you have even a smidgeon of faith in you? In the it’ll do, you must recognize the  truth in what Jesus said, and you must believe it — do not doubt.

Christ’s walk to the cross is part of the gift

Prior to his horrifying and gruesome death Jesus spent three years with those who would build the foundation of the Gospel. They did not fully understand what He taught them until after His death, His resurrection and ascension. When the Holy Spirit fell upon them it all came together.

It was then they began to remember their walk with the Master and comprehend the importance of those years with Jesus. All that He taught would now be amplified as they built upon the Cornerstone, the foundation of the Church, the body of Christ.

As we begin to see their walk described in the Book of Acts, we see it was not an easy walk. They were persecuted, spit on, thrown in jail, run out of towns and even stoned. Their walk would eventually lead them to their death.

But their walk was determined. They continued because even though their faith was as small as a mustard seed in the beginning, it grew as they walked in the power of the Holy Spirit. It was their walk that was demonstrated by our Saviors walk. Their walk traveled the narrow path of discipline, and trust in the Word of God.

Their walk is part of the gift for us!

Without the walk of Christ and the walk of the apostles, we would have no walk to share with others. In fact, we would have no hope!

Christ’s, and the disciples, walk has arrived in front of you this Easter. This is what it’s all about. This day of thankfulness, and praise for a Saviour willing to sacrifice Himself, is the ultimate of gifts.

Is your walk one that is part of the gift?

This is a profound question. You must answer it!

Here are a few more questions to consider:

• • Do you know Christ as your personal Savior?
  • Have you searched your heart to see if your walk is part of the gift of Calvary?
  • Does each step portray the fragrance of Christ in such a way that it welcomes others to walk with you?
  • Does your walk welcome your family to join you?
  • Will your legacy be your walk with Christ, or will it be something else?

This Easter, will you allow yourself to be drowned in muddy broth of the world. Or, will you run to the Living Water?

Thank you, Father, for the sacrifice of your only Son. That, through Christ blood we receive mercy. That, by His grace we are welcomed before your throne. As the arrows of satan land all around us, remind us to run to the Living Water—for You are our only safe place! As we live our lives, may we walk the way you have demonstrated to us. May our walk be the fragrance of your love. We praise you, for it is by Jesus, ALONE, we are saved from this dark world, and will spend eternity with You.

Amen

(Ref. Dakota Incident, 1956; Republic Films, https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0049118/)

Andy Oldham is the founder and co-creator of Christian Grandfather Magazine. He received his B.A. in religious studies and education from Anderson University. He has served as pastor to senior adults, and fills pulpits when needed. Andy taught memoir classes at the local library and after writing his personal memoirs wrote Everlasting Cronies, a story of growing up in rural Louisiana. His inspirational column in the Northside Sun Newspaper was well received by his community. A poem, Winters Grace has been honored by the Mississippi Poetry Society. He and his wife, Barbara, have six grandchildren and enjoy retirement in Mississippi.

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